One month on from the devastating twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June, causing thousands of casualties and triggering one of the country’s most severe humanitarian emergencies in recent years, the Order of Malta’s international network continues to provide healthcare, logistical support and humanitarian aid to affected communities.
Unfortunately, the toll of the disaster continues to worsen: the number of deaths has surpassed 5,300, more than 16,700 people have been injured, and tens of thousands of families have lost their homes. In La Guaira State and surrounding areas, which continue to experience frequent aftershocks, people are still living in extremely difficult conditions, while relief operations and the gradual recovery phase continue.
From the earliest hours of the emergency, the Venezuelan Association of the Order of Malta (AVOM) assumed operational leadership of the Order’s response on the ground, working in close cooperation with Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s international relief agency, and its American operational branch Malteser International Americas, CISOM (Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta), and numerous National Associations, which have contributed with personnel, fundraising efforts and humanitarian supplies.
One month after the earthquake, the Order of Malta’s response, under the central coordination of the Grand Magistry, has reached a total of over 28,000 people through healthcare services, distribution of essential goods, food assistance and family reunification services. In particular, more than 15,300 people have received essential non-food items. On the healthcare front, the Caraballeda Medical Post and mobile clinics have delivered 5,351 healthcare services, including medical consultations, examinations and vaccinations, ensuring assistance both to injured people and to patients suffering from chronic illnesses who lost access to regular healthcare services as a result of the earthquake.
Meanwhile, 5,453 meals have been distributed, while AVOM staff and volunteers have assisted over 7,800 people in registering on and using the government’s digital platform designed to locate patients admitted to healthcare facilities countrywide, enabling the reunification of 65 families with their loved ones.
Healthcare interventions continue to be strengthened thanks to Malteser International, which allocated €250,000 from the earliest stages of the emergency to support relief operations and launched an international fundraising campaign. Two Malteser International experts are also part of the Joint Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Mission, the certified medical team led by Johanniter Unfall Hilfe, which is operating in earthquake-affected areas with doctors, nurses and specialists, providing emergency medical care and supporting the Order of Malta’s mobile medical units in the most vulnerable communities.
At the same time, CISOM has expanded its operational presence through the deployment of a second team engaged in logistical coordination and support to field operations. Specialized personnel are also working to strengthen the response capacity of the Venezuelan Association by supporting the planning of health and logistics activities, coordination with international humanitarian actors and the development of shared operational tools. This commitment accompanies the gradual transition from the immediate emergency phase to recovery and reconstruction.
The Order of Malta’s action continues through an integrated approach combining healthcare assistance, distribution of essential relief items, support to families and international coordination. As the humanitarian response enters a new phase, ensuring continuity of care, strengthening local health services and accompanying Venezuelan communities along the long road to recovery remain key priorities.
