IFRC Director visits Venezuela to oversee earthquake relief efforts

Loyce Pace, the IFRC Regional Director for the Americas, visited Venezuela to oversee humanitarian operations following the earthquakes that occurred on June 24. During her visit, she evaluated the response efforts deployed by the Venezuelan Red Cross two months after the seismic events, highlighting the local teams' ability to adapt to the needs of vulnerable communities.

In meetings with Venezuelan government officials, including First Vice Minister Oliver Blanco and Vice Minister for Multilateral Issues Joaquín Pérez Ayestarán, the IFRC and the Venezuelan Red Cross identified new areas for cooperation. The focus is on strengthening national capacities for emergency management and disaster risk reduction, while coordinating with the ‘Plan Venezuela Renace’ to ensure sustainable recovery.

Humanitarian assistance currently prioritizes primary health services, psychosocial support, the distribution of potable water, and the delivery of essential supplies. Volunteers continue to collect data in affected sectors to tailor aid to specific family needs, as international cooperation aims to support long-term resilience and infrastructure recovery.