22 July 2026 | Brussels, Belgium [ADRA Europe with tedNEWS]
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing emergency assistance to families affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela, as survivors begin rebuilding their lives after the disaster struck on 24 June 2026.
Among them is Oneida Oyárvez, a resident of Ciudad Caribia, Venezuela, whose family narrowly escaped when two powerful earthquakes struck within seconds of each other.
A family’s escape
“We were getting ready to watch Brazil’s World Cup match when the alarms went off,” Oyárvez recalled.
The first earthquake shook Tower 8, the apartment building where her family lives. As the building swayed violently, Oyárvez rushed towards one of the bedrooms while her husband and son-in-law ran to protect their two granddaughters, who had been sleeping in separate rooms.
Her husband struggled to remain standing while carrying one of their granddaughters to safety. Meanwhile, her son-in-law shielded the other child as the force of the earthquake repeatedly threw him against the walls.
Just as they believed the danger had passed, a second, stronger earthquake struck. Walls cracked, furniture crashed to the floor, and the sound of concrete breaking confirmed that the building had sustained severe structural damage.
Escaping was equally dangerous. Water pipes had burst, debris blocked the stairwell, and the normal exit was no longer accessible. Working together, neighbours forced open jammed doors and created a safe route through damaged ground-floor apartments so everyone could get out.
During the evacuation, residents rescued a woman who had thrown herself over her children as a wall collapsed. She later underwent emergency spinal surgery and is now recovering with her family.
Since the disaster, Oyárvez says her community has been living through what residents now call “Hour Zero”. “Right now, we’re receiving help from NGOs. They’re providing us with sleeping mats and personal supplies, and we’re still here.”
Her words echo the experience of many families who have lost homes and possessions but continue to find hope through the support of others.
ADRA’s emergency response
ADRA’s emergency response is centred on temporary shelters in Caracas and La Guaira, where displaced families are receiving assistance. Many families remain without safe homes, enduring long days under the intense sun and rainy nights that make it difficult to rest. The lack of safe drinking water, portable toilets and adequate sanitation is also increasing the risk of disease.
Families are also contending with growing numbers of flies and mosquitoes, while many urgently need insect repellent, sunscreen and medication for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The agency’s first three-month response plan aims to reach 90,000 people in the most densely populated affected areas. Its priorities are water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security and protection. As part of the response, ADRA is distributing 6,000 personal hygiene kits, providing water purification support, and conducting sanitation assessments in displacement sites. The agency also plans to distribute 10,000 food kits to affected families, prioritising households with children under five and older people.
ADRA is also providing mental health and psychosocial support, safe spaces for children and case management for vulnerable people.
The ADRA UK Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Appeal notes that the disaster has compounded an already difficult humanitarian situation. Even before the earthquakes, nearly 7.9 million people in Venezuela were in humanitarian need. ADRA is seeking support to provide hygiene kits, food assistance and protection services, including mental health and psychosocial support, for those affected.
As families begin the long road to recovery, ADRA Venezuela says it remains committed to serving communities with justice, compassion and love, helping restore dignity and hope one family at a time.
Those wishing to support families affected by the earthquakes can donate through their local ADRA office or via the ADRA UK Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Appeal.
[Photos: ADRA Venezuela / Elisamuel Devis Fermin]
The original version of this article was posted on the ADRA Europe website, with additional information from ADRA UK.
