Within hours of devastating earthquakes striking Venezuela, Wine To Water teams were preparing water filters, coordinating with trusted partners, and planning how to reach communities with safe drinking water. As families begin the long road to recovery, access to clean water is one of the most urgent needs—and one of the first ways we can help.
On June 24, 2026, a series of powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake was followed just 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 quake, making them among the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in more than a century. The destruction has been widespread, impacting communities across multiple states.
Thousands of people have been killed or injured as buildings collapsed, and casualty numbers continue to rise. Tens of thousands of families have been displaced from their homes and are now living in temporary shelters after losing nearly everything.
For communities already facing significant challenges, the earthquakes have only deepened existing vulnerabilities. Overcrowded shelters, limited access to safe drinking water, and disrupted healthcare services have increased the risk of waterborne disease and created urgent humanitarian needs.
Meeting an Urgent Need
“In the first hours and days after a disaster, no one organization can meet every need alone,” said Karissa Holland, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Wine To Water. “Our partners play a critical role in helping us move quickly—whether that’s through financial support, donated resources, or leveraging their expertise and networks.”
Wine To Water’s Colombia team was also prepared to mobilize into the hardest-hit areas. Working alongside a Wine To Water US Disaster Response Manager, the team assessed where clean water needs were greatest and determined how best to support communities in the days ahead.
“We are grateful to have teams already working in Colombia, who are able to pivot and support communities in this time of need,” said Jeremy Kilday, Director of Disaster Response at Wine To Water. “Our teams understand the dynamics of working in the region, and we’re proud that they’re willing to mobilize quickly to support communities facing water access needs.”
Within days of the earthquakes, one disaster response team was already traveling to Venezuela with 200 DROP Filters®. Working alongside local partners in La Guaira, the team distributed the filters while training families on how to use and maintain them. Each filter is designed to provide safe drinking water for a minimum of 10 years, helping provide a sustainable solution for clean water well beyond the initial emergency response.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see businesses step forward alongside local organizations so that together we can help communities regain access to something as fundamental as safe drinking water,” Holland said.
Over the coming weeks, Wine To Water plans to send additional shipments of filters and relief supplies into Venezuela as response efforts continue. As of July 8th, an additional 6,000 filters are making their way to Venezuela thanks to partnerships with organizations such as World Vision and Operation Blessing.
“We have great partners who are actively working alongside us to get filters and supplies into the country,” Kilday said. “It’s going to take a lot of work over the next several weeks and months to keep a continuous supply of materials moving into the hands of impacted households, but we’re committed to continuing our support for the people impacted by these earthquakes.”
From the Field
During times such as these, the priority is understanding what communities need most and working alongside trusted local partners who know the people, the challenges, and the path forward. This approach allows us to respond quickly while ensuring our efforts support—not replace—the work already happening on the ground.
In the days and weeks ahead, our focus is clear: help families regain access to safe drinking water. It’s one of the most immediate needs after a disaster and a critical step toward protecting health, restoring dignity, and beginning recovery. As more information becomes available and needs continue to evolve, Wine To Water will adapt our response to serve communities where support is needed most.
Wine To Water will continue working alongside local partners to reach more families with safe water solutions and equip communities for the recovery ahead. As this response continues, your support helps deliver safe water, trusted partnerships, and hope to communities when they need it most.