DEC appeal launched today for Venezuela earthquake survivors

Age International is calling on the UK public to donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Venezuela Earthquake Appeal. The appeal, launched today, is raising funds to help those affected by two catastrophic earthquakes that struck Venezuela within seconds of each other, affecting more than 2 million people – including many older people.

The earthquakes struck just after 6pm on Wednesday 24 June, close to Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas. Measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, the second earthquake was the strongest to hit the country in more than a century. More than 300 aftershocks have been recorded, and the scale of destruction is vast. Buildings have been reduced to rubble.

To date, over 1,700 people are reported to have been killed, with the death toll continuing to rise. Many families, including older people, are sleeping in makeshift tents on the street, with little protection from the heat and rain. Power lines, health facilities and roads have been destroyed, and people are cut off from essential supplies. Thousands more are injured, and the country’s hospitals are under extreme pressure.

In earthquake disasters, older people are more likely to die or face serious injury. Those with chronic health or mobility problems might struggle to escape or access support, and they are often in need of specialist healthcare or medicines which are impossible to find in the aftermath of a disaster.

Age International CEO, Alison Marshall, said:

“We know from our work on humanitarian crises around the world that older people are likely to be among those most affected by these earthquakes. As humanitarian agencies work swiftly to scale up their response, older people’s specific needs must not be ignored or forgotten, or we risk putting them in even greater danger. The combined efforts of DEC member organisations, and the UK public’s generous support, are critical as we work together to assist all those affected by this crisis.”

Venezuela was already facing a severe economic crisis before the earthquakes, with 82% of the population living in poverty[1]. In recent years, lots of younger people have left the country to seek opportunities abroad, leaving many older people living alone and without family support. As a result, many older people are likely to be trapped in buildings or injured, lacking assistance to recover.

As a proud member of the DEC, Age International is raising money for the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal to help people affected and ensure older people aren’t overlooked. The UK Government has agreed to match donations to the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal pound-for-pound up to £2 million through its UK Aid Match scheme.

Age International’s partner in Venezuela, CADENA, began assessing the level of need and assisting swiftly after the earthquakes struck. Along with HelpAge International, CADENA is working to ensure older people have clean water, emergency shelter, medical assistance, mental health support, as well as essential basic supplies including food.

[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/venezuela-un-expert-calls-human-rights-not-charity-end-hunger-and