Venezuela - Meeting Minutes, Earthquake Response, Caracas, July 2, 2026

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1. GENERAL SITUATION UPDATES

• Official casualty figures: 
  • 2,295 dead, 11,267 injured, and more than 12,841 affected; numbers rising. 6,461 people rescued. 
  • 2,501 infrastructure facilities affected.
• At least 57 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from 26 countries have been deployed, with 2,293 personnel. Some have begun to withdraw from the country.
• Venezuelan authorities continue to prioritize Search and Rescue, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Food, Health, and Shelter.
• Temporary shelters have been set up, classified into 25 operational temporary camps (13 in La Guaira, 8 in the Capital District, 2 in Miranda, 1 in Carabobo, and 1 in Yaracuy). 
• The multiservice shelters in La Guaira remain in operation: the Vargas Sports Complex, the César Nieves Stadium (Catia La Mar), and the Playa Grande Stadium (temporary).
• Telecommunications in La Guaira continue to operate via satellite signal. On June 26, CONATEL granted Movistar Venezuela a temporary spectrum authorization to activate its Direct-to-Device satellite service in La Guaira (information obtained by the IMPACCT group).

2. LOGISTICAL UPDATES

• Air Transport: 
  • Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira: authorized solely to receive humanitarian cargo on a government-to-government basis and from agencies, funds, and programs of the United Nations system. The runway is suitable for receiving heavy cargo on Category E/F aircraft.
  • Arturo Michelena Airport in Valencia and La Chinita Airport in Maracaibo: operations for commercial flights (cargo and passengers). The runways are suitable for loading on Category C/D/E aircraft. Valencia Airport is approximately a 3-hour drive from Caracas. The road is in good condition with two lanes open in each direction.
  • In addition to Valencia and Maracaibo, General José Antonio Anzoátegui Airport (BLA - Barcelona), Jacinto Lara Airport (BRM - Barquisimeto), Manuel Carlos Piar (PZO - Puerto Ordaz), and Santiago Mariño (PMV - Porlamar) airports remain operational for commercial flights, operating at 100% capacity with variations in flight frequencies, depending on each airline’s decision.
• Ground transportation: 
  • Caracas–La Guaira Highway: Access remains regulated by authorities, who require a mandatory permit for all vehicles except those belonging to the United Nations and the Red Cross. Regarding humanitarian cargo vehicles from United Nations suppliers, notification must be provided through the mobilization matrix. 
  • Border Crossing: In Táchira state, the Local Coordination Forum held a meeting with state authorities, who indicated that they plan to authorize the movement of vehicles carrying humanitarian aid across the Simón Bolívar International Bridge. However, no detailed information on the process or required authorizations is available at this time.
• Maritime Transport:
  • Port of La Guaira: Authorities report that it is currently authorized only to receive humanitarian cargo. The northern docks, from 2 to 4, appear to be largely free of significant damage. Marks or impacts are visible approximately every 20 meters. A crack is visible at the western end of Dock 2. The northern docks, from 6 to 8, are being used for victim identification.
  • Puerto Cabello: Under evaluation, awaiting an announcement from the authorities.
• Customs and Imports: 
  • To date, there is no defined process for importing humanitarian supplies related to the emergency. A statement from the authorities on this matter is expected. 
  • The IMPACCT group has been in contact with partners and national customs authorities to gather available information on the processes for importing humanitarian aid. This information can be found in IMPACCT’s first bulletin. Notable points include:
• Telecommunications equipment may enter the country with express authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; this procedure is not specific. 
• SIDUNEAWorld is operational. 
• The Ministry of Popular Power for Health has issued a document detailing the basic requirements for receiving donations of medicines, medical supplies, and medical equipment.
• Updates to partners are being provided through a WhatsApp group. You can request to join by contacting Virginie Bohl, Head of the IMPACCT Working Group (impacct.2021@gmail.com // Virginie.bohl@wfp.org).

3. LOGISTICS WORKING GROUP UPDATE

• The Logistics Working Group (GTL), through the WFP, has made storage space available to organizations in La Guaria (500 m²) for rapid inbound and outbound loading, at no cost. In the coming days, these services will likely be expanded based on the key needs identified by the partners. Standard Operating Procedures will also be shared, along with the terms and conditions of these services, which are provided at no cost to the organizations using them. It was noted that these shared services differ from those provided by the WFP under its Service Provision model. The shared services address critical needs for the earthquake response and are focused on filling the areas identified as logistical gaps. 
• The GTL is compiling a list of gaps and needs to identify and prevent obstacles or bottlenecks that partners may face in responding to the emergency. This survey will help define the priorities where the GTL should intervene and the critical logistics services necessary to enable the humanitarian response. The survey has been distributed and must be completed by July 5 at the latest.
• The GTL, in coordination with OCHA, is compiling and consolidating daily reports on the mobilization of humanitarian cargo to be shipped by air and land by the agencies, funds, and programs of the United Nations system. This information is being shared with national authorities to facilitate preparedness and improve coordination.

4. PARTNER UPDATES

• One partner provided updates on the arrival of donations (other than humanitarian aid). These donations are evaluated by the authorities; therefore, those intended for well-established and recognized organizations in the country tend to have a better chance of approval. 
• The U.S. Department of State announced the establishment of a free humanitarian airlift to transport cargo from the United States (Miami) to Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS). The service is being provided in collaboration with Airlink and Amazon. Airlink will provide free support by collecting loading via land transport throughout the country and consolidating it in Miami for the flights, which will be operated by Amazon. The first flight is scheduled to arrive on July 6. Partners interested in participating can contact ops@airlinkflight.org and abustillo@airlinkflight.org. The State Department clarified that establishing an airlift from Panama could be considered if a need is identified. 
• ECHO clarified that it is planning to operate two or three flights from Panama carrying humanitarian cargo from various partners. 

CONTACTS

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    All shared services provided by the Logistics Working Group are subject to the availability of funds and physical access restrictions.