GENEVA, June 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations is "fully mobilised" to 
provide assistance in quake-hit Venezuela, the UN's aid chief said Thursday, 
stressing the response would require "massive collective efforts".

Venezuela's strongest earthquake since 1900 killed at least 164 people as it 
destroyed multiple buildings near the capital.

"We are fully mobilised to support the people of Venezuela," UN Under-
Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator 
Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

He said he had spoken Thursday morning with interim President Delcy 
Rodriguez, and "we are assessing urgently what is needed".

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA was meanwhile "coordinating the rapid 
deployment of urban search and rescue teams from across the international 
community", Fletcher said.

"I am surging a rapid response team to reinforce the OCHA team in country," 
he added.

Fletcher welcomed the international outpouring of aid and assistance already 
on display.

"The coming days will require a massive collective effort to support the 
Government-led response and help communities," he said.

The UN aid chief pointed out that even before the earthquakes hit west of the 
capital Caracas Wednesday evening, nearly eight million people in Venezuela 
were in need of humanitarian support.

"This disaster risks deepening existing vulnerabilities," he warned.