U.S. Aid Groups Mobilize as Venezuela’s Earthquake Disrupts Airports

Venezuela earthquake – Humanitarian organizations are ramping up medical help, search and rescue, and emergency supplies in Venezuela after an earthquake damaged the country’s Simón Bolívar International Airport and temporarily paused flights. Teams are coordinating with regional an

Earthquake response teams moved quickly to get help into Venezuela, even as flights into the country were temporarily halted.

Airlink said it is working with airline and logistics partners to mobilize humanitarian partners across Venezuela. sending search and rescue and emergency medical teams. disaster assessment and management teams. and urgently-needed aid. That aid includes medical supplies, medicines, water filters, food, and shelter supplies.

The disruption is tied to damage to the largest airport in Venezuela, Simón Bolívar International Airport. Airlink said the airport is temporarily pausing flights into the country, and the group is working to find routes for responders.

Americares said it is training local health workers to help people cope with the trauma of natural disasters and providing medical assistance to health facilities throughout the country. Its emergency team—including staff from the region—is assessing urgent health needs for survivors and coordinating its response with the Pan American Health Organization. the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. and other disaster response organizations.

CORE, or Community Organized Relief Effort, is deploying its emergency response team and coordinating with trusted partners to assess widespread needs on the ground, delivering life-saving resources in the immediate aftermath while aiming to empower communities to be self-reliant in the long run.

Direct Relief said it maintains emergency medicines commonly requested during earthquake events. including wound care. surgical supplies. antibiotics. and field medic packs to equip first responders and search and rescue crews. The organization said it will continue to respond to requests in the region as they become known.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières said its teams in Caracas are assessing the situation and donating emergency trauma kits to hospitals. The group said it works to help people overcome significant barriers to health care by providing essential medical services and supporting the local health system.

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) said its team, partnered with I Love Venezuela, is mobilizing in response to the developing situation. GEM said its reconnaissance and emergency response teams will be assessing needs, coordinating with local partners, and beginning response operations.

The International Federation of the Red Cross said the Venezuelan Red Cross is continuing care in a network of hospitals and polyclinics. It said rescue teams are supporting evacuation and search efforts. The Venezuelan Red Cross told the federation that its headquarters was among the buildings affected by the earthquake and that it is accounting for the safety of its staff and volunteers.

The International Rescue Committee said its teams are on the ground delivering urgent health, nutrition, WASH—water, sanitation and hygiene—protection, education, food security, and livelihood services.

Islamic Relief said it is launching an emergency appeal to support those affected. It said its members will work with partners and local authorities to deliver lifesaving aid.

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said it is rapidly deploying urban search and rescue teams—highly specialized emergency response units—through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, a U.N. advisory body.

Project HOPE, a U.S.-based international humanitarian aid nonprofit, said it is mobilizing medical assistance, with international emergency medical personnel and a K-9 search and rescue team on standby.

Save the Children said it has already released emergency funds and is ready to deliver health services, child protection support, shelter, food and essential relief items as needed.

World Central Kitchen, founded by Jose Andres, said it is on the ground in Venezuela providing food and water to evacuated residents, first responders and tourists. It said the organization typically activates a network of local restaurants, food trucks and emergency kitchens.

World Food Program USA—working alongside the international program The World Food Programme—said it delivers lifesaving food aid and is gearing up to support emergency response efforts in Venezuela.

World Vision said it has people in Venezuela and is activating its emergency response. including emergency food assistance to prevent hunger and malnutrition; clean water and hygiene supplies to reduce the spread of disease; temporary shelter materials for families who have lost their homes; medical care and essential supplies for those injured or at risk; and child-friendly spaces to provide safety. stability. and emotional care after trauma.

Right now. the response is being shaped by a hard reality on the ground: the largest airport in Venezuela. Simón Bolívar International Airport. is damaged enough to temporarily pause flights. For organizations trying to move quickly—especially teams tasked with search and rescue and emergency medical support—routing around that disruption has become a defining part of the effort.

Venezuela earthquake Simón Bolívar International Airport Airlink search and rescue emergency medical teams humanitarian aid Americares Doctors Without Borders International Rescue Committee OCHA