Press Release
July 11, 2026 • 2 min read
A charter flight carrying emergency relief supplies provided by Irish Aid has arrived in Venezuela, where GOAL will coordinate their distribution to communities affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June. Transported from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Panama City, the supplies will provide essential assistance for up to 5,000 people and form part of Irish Aid's commitment to supporting rapid humanitarian responses to disasters.
The shipment contains:
- 2,500 thermal blankets
- 550 woven plastic tarpaulins
- 2,000 mosquito nets
- 2,500 water containers
- 1,000 kitchen sets
- 1,000 emergency shelter toolkits
- Rope and other shelter materials
The emergency supplies will help families who have lost homes and essential belongings following the earthquakes, providing shelter, protection and basic household items during the first stages of recovery. The shipment reflects Ireland’s commitment, provided through Irish Aid, to supporting rapid humanitarian responses and GOAL’s ongoing work with local partners to ensure assistance reaches communities affected by the disaster. The relief items will be distributed in the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes in coordination with local partners.
The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck less than a minute apart and were the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Even before the disaster, an estimated 7.9 million people required humanitarian assistance, with more than half the population living in extreme poverty. The earthquakes have further intensified humanitarian needs and placed additional pressure on already overstretched health services and essential public infrastructure.
GOAL has worked in Venezuela since 2022, supporting vulnerable communities affected by economic instability and humanitarian crises. Working with local partners, GOAL is coordinating the distribution of these emergency supplies to ensure assistance reaches those most affected as quickly as possible.
Philip Gelman, GOAL’s Regional Director for Latin America, said:
“Behind every box on this flight is a family trying to rebuild after losing so much. In the days since the earthquakes, our teams have met people who have lost their homes, are sleeping outside, and are worried about how they will protect their children and care for their families. These supplies from Irish Aid will help meet immediate needs by providing families with shelter materials, blankets and essential household items while they begin to recover. We are grateful for Irish Aid’s continued partnership, which allows GOAL and our local partners to respond quickly and ensure support reaches those who need it most.”
Notes to Editors
- GOAL has worked in Venezuela since 2022.
- The emergency supplies are being provided by Irish Aid and transported from the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Panama City.
- The shipment contains essential emergency shelter and household items for approximately 5,000 people.
- GOAL will coordinate the distribution of the supplies with local partners as part of the wider humanitarian response.
- The emergency supplies are sufficient to support approximately 5,000 people.
- GOAL has launched an Emergency Appeal to raise funds for GOAL’s earthquake response in Venezuela – please visit goal.ie/venezuela to learn more.
