Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Caracas, Venezuela in succession Wednesday night, leveling buildings and causing widespread destruction. The second quake is the biggest to hit the nation in more than a century. At least 164 people have died, nearly a 1,000 injured, and many remain missing, as urgent search and rescue operations continue.
World Food Program USA is activating to support the World Food Programme (WFP)’s emergency response efforts in the region. WFP urgently requires $50 million to deliver immediate food assistance to half a million people for three months alongside wide-ranging humanitarian logistics support.
Already, WFP is providing transport, storage and coordination infrastructure as a shared service to national authorities and humanitarian partners and is consolidating its inventory of in-country food stocks for immediate deployment. As the full scope of humanitarian needs become clear, WFP’s response will shift to include immediate food assistance through in-kind food kits and hot meals for displaced populations where markets or supply chains are disrupted.
WFP has unparalleled logistical and operational presence across Venezuela, including in states now at the center of the earthquake response. In moments of crisis, access to food is essential — and WFP’s operational expertise, logistics capacity and deep partnerships are critical to helping communities recover.
WFP has a long-standing presence in Venezuela and has been the backbone of the humanitarian food security response there for the past five years, accounting for 80% of the country’s food security response. Hunger in Venezuela is primarily driven by economic access. In 2025, the country experienced the highest global food price inflation globally, turning everyday life into a constant challenge for households. Compounding these economic shocks are frequent disasters, including floods, droughts and landslides, that destroy farmland and food production.
We stand committed to the people of Venezuela and will do everything we can to support vulnerable families in their time of great need. But we can’t do it without the support of donors. Please join us as we work to rush life-saving food and support.
