June 30th, 2026, Burlington, Ontario – On the 24th of June 2026, two powerful earthquakes (Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5) struck northern Venezuela within seconds of each other, causing widespread devastation across several states.
Islamic Relief Canada has launched an emergency appeal alongside its Humanitarian Coalition partners to respond to the rapidly worsening situation. As of June 30th, the Government of Canada's announced that it will match, dollar-for-dollar, donations to the Venezuela Earthquake Response appeal. This decision acknowledges the scale and urgency of the humanitarian crisis we are seeing on the ground and represents an important step toward supporting relief efforts in Venezuela.
Islamic Relief Canada staff have been deployed on the ground to respond and are working alongside our local partners to provide much-needed assistance in distributing food and hygiene packs, which are specially designed for families who have lost their homes and can be used despite power cuts and a lack of refrigeration
Sara Bonil, Program Specialist at Islamic Relief Canada,is currently in Venezuela and available for interviews to provide firsthand insight into the humanitarian situation on the ground.
Current reports indicate that over 1,700people have lost their lives, with more than 3,000 people injured and a staggering 50,000 people missing. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, and casualty figures are expected to increase. Hundreds of residential and public buildings have collapsed or sustained severe structural damage. An estimated 700 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including 13 hospitals. The remaining hospitals are operating beyond capacity, with some treating patients outdoors due to damage and overcrowding.
“What we are witnessing on the ground is heartbreaking. Everywhere you look, there are collapsed buildings and people frantically looking for their missing family members. The humanitarian needs are immense and growing by the hours.” - Sara Bonil, International Programs Specialist.
"Our priority right now is responding swiftly to urgent humanitarian needs. This disaster is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of people, and we have a responsibility to stand with our brothers and sisters in Venezuela, whether they are across the street or across the world." -Tufail Hussain, CEO of Islamic Relief Canada.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Houda Kerkadi, Media and Press Relations Specialist
+1 514-578-2684
Islamic Relief Canada is a registered Canadian charity and a prominent humanitarian
organization providing emergency relief and supporting resilient communities around the world.
Registered Charity No. 821896875RR0001.