By Stephanie Steege | Vice President of Humanitarian Programs
Response Overview
On June 24, 2026, back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude struck the Venezuelan coast near La Guaira, causing widespread infrastructure damage and displacing thousands of people. The quakes caused severe damage in La Guaira state, where 80% of buildings were fully or partially damaged. At least 6,500 fatalities were confirmed, with some 226,700 people injured or hospitalized and tens of thousands still missing. A nationwide state of emergency triggered an urgent need for international humanitarian support. The response was further complicated by damage to Venezuela's primary international airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS), which shut down all commercial flights into the area, forcing responders to find alternative routes and cutting off access for commercial cargo flights.
In response to the devastating earthquakes, Airlink stood up a humanitarian air bridge in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, Amazon, the World Food Programme, and other airline and logistics partners, operating primarily between Miami and Caracas to move critical relief cargo. Airlink also worked with commercial airline partners, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Avianca, and Copa Airlines to fly responders into alternate entry points like Valencia Airport (VLN), ensuring the humanitarian supply chain never stalled even as flight restrictions into Venezuelan airspace persisted through the summer.
Thanks to this partnership, Airlink rapidly mobilized more than 50 responders and a charter flight carrying more than 40 tons of cargo, including a fully equipped field hospital, in the first two weeks of the response. By moving quickly to coordinate transport logistics, Airlink ensured that emergency medical assistance reached those in need. In the first three months of the response, Airlink provided 324 flights for humanitarian responders and organized 10 charter flights carrying more than 300 metric tons of aid.
Response Spotlight: Health Systems
Even before the earthquakes, Venezuela's health system was already stretched thin by years of economic crisis. Tremors damaged at least nine hospitals and health centers, reducing their capacity even as medical needs surged. With thousands of displaced people in temporary shelters, there was a high risk of preventable and waterborne illnesses such as measles, dengue, and malaria.
Airlink prioritized the rapid deployment of medical personnel and critical medical supplies to provide surge support to the health system, which could no longer meet the demand. In the first week after the earthquake, Airlink deployed an entire self-sustaining field hospital on behalf of nonprofit partner International Medical Corps. Their team was able to support with emergency trauma care and primary care for survivors. Three months into the response, the EMT team continues to see a significant number of patients presenting with chronic illnesses whose treatment has been interrupted and delayed due to the earthquakes.
Response Spotlight: Search & Rescue
After the earthquakes, authorities reported that more than 10,000 people were missing. The first 72 hours after a disaster is known as the "golden window" for search and rescue operations, the period in which it is most likely to find survivors. With more than 80% of the buildings in La Guaira being fully or partially collapsed, Airlink prioritized the deployment of certified search and rescue teams in the first days after the earthquakes. In the first two days alone, authorities reported that more than 5,300 people were rescued alive from collapsed buildings.
Airlink was able to cut through logistical bottlenecks and quickly deploy qualified teams from all over the world. This rapid deployment was critical given that the airport closest to the epicenter was closed. Airlink worked with airline partners to find alternative airports using major hubs in the region like Bogotá and Panama as staging points. This effort would not have been possible without the support of Airlink's commercial airline partners including United Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Avianca Airlines.
Response Spotlight: Humanitarian Airbridge
When Venezuela's main international airport sustained extensive earthquake damage and lost capacity to handle commercial cargo flights, the primary gateway for international aid closed. Airlink's response focused on solving this barrier by standing up a dedicated humanitarian air bridge in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the World Food Programme, and Amazon, to keep critical relief cargo moving even as commercial flights remained grounded.
Amazon donated the aircraft and fuel for a dedicated seven-flight airbridge, Airlink coordinated manifests based on nonprofit partner and on-the-ground needs, the World Food Programme managed logistics on the ground, and the Department of State streamlined clearance processes and provided funds for additional time-sensitive flights. The results of this program speak to what a coordinated air bridge makes possible when conventional access collapses: over the 10 charter flights, Airlink deployed more than 300 tons of aid, including medical supplies, water filters, hygiene kits, food, and shelter supplies on behalf of more than 30 nonprofit organizations.
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