How to Help Those Impacted by the Earthquakes in Venezuela

Venezuela is once again in a state of national emergency, and this time not for political reasons. The South American country was struck on Wednesday night (June 24) by twin earthquakes that caused the collapse of multiple buildings, primarily in the coastal region of La Guaira, north of Caracas, as well as in the capital city.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, and were felt across the region, according to the Associated Press. By midday Thursday (June 25), the news agency reported at least 164 fatal victims while “many more were feared dead.”

On social media, videos shared by hundreds of users showed the magnitude of the tragedy, with people fleeing buildings and shopping centers in terror during the quake and rescue teams later working to extract survivors and victims from the rubble. Others were desperately pleading for help in finding family members.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first of the two earthquakes, with a magnitude of 7.2, occurred west of Morón, on the Caribbean coast, about 105 miles west of Caracas, at a depth of about 14 miles, AP informed. Just a minute later, the USGS reported a second quake, this one with a magnitude of 7.5, a depth of about 6 miles and an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of Morón.

Several nations have offered to send aid to Venezuela, including the United States, which earlier this year captured former president Nicolás Maduro in a surprise military operation.

Meanwhile, a growing number of organizations, businesses and even musicians are taking steps to raise funds and provide assistance to those affected. Below is a list of ways you can help, in alphabetical order.