Toronto, ON, July 24, 2026 – One month after twin earthquakes killed more than 5,300 people in Venezuela, Plan International, a development and humanitarian organization responding to the emergency, warns that children, of violence against girls, disruption to essential services including health care, and increasingly uncertain access to education.

More than 23,000 people still live in transitional camps across Venezuela. Among them, girls and adolescents face risks that go beyond the immediate emergency. In some camps, overcrowded shelters without separate toilets or private spaces for women and girls increase exposure to violence and abuse, Plan International warns.

Thousands of families are also living in makeshift shelters in public squares and open spaces near their damaged homes, with little access to clean water, food or protection services.

"I'd rather be in a plaza where I know the people around me than go somewhere huge where you don't know who comes in and who goes out," said Andreina, a 26-year-old mother who has been living in a public square with her husband and young daughter since June 25.

"During emergencies, the protective environment for children weakens. Caregivers are under immense stress, and it is in these moments that trafficking networks and other perpetrators take advantage," said Yesica Serrano, Plan International's Regional Child Protection Advisor for Humanitarian Action.

"The emergencies do not affect all children in the same way. Girls, especially adolescent girls face greater exposure to sexual exploitation, violence and forced domestic work, while adolescent boys face risks of recruitment by criminal groups."

Adolescent girls who have been separated from their families, or whose caregivers have died or been hospitalized, face the most significant risks.

Beyond protection concerns, many girls are also struggling to access menstrual health supplies. Without period products and private facilities, adolescent girls face barriers to accessing other forms of support available in the camps, compounding their isolation at exactly the moment they are most vulnerable.

"People are focused on finding food, water, torches and basic resources, but no one is thinking about what women need: sanitary towels, toilet paper, the basics," said Andrea, a 17-year-old volunteer with a Plan International partner organization.

Although Venezuelan schools are currently in their summer break, the earthquake cut the last school year short for thousands of children.

With several school buildings now being used to house displaced families, there is no certainty that classes will resume when the new school year begins in September. This raises doubts about the availability of one of the few safe spaces that help children recover and regain a sense of normalcy.

One month on, the challenge is no longer only humanitarian relief. Communities now face a longer recovery process that will determine whether girls return safely to school, regain access to protection services, manage their menstrual health with dignity and remain safe from exploitation and abuse. With sustained support, communities can restore the services and safe spaces girls need to recover and thrive again.

As global attention shifts elsewhere, Plan International warns that girls remain at risk of being left behind in the recovery effort. Recovery funding must go beyond rebuilding infrastructure.

Protecting girls, restoring education and strengthening community support systems are essential investments from the outset if we are to prevent a long-term crisis and ensure a more resilient recovery for Venezuela’s children and communities.

Plan International has been providing emergency assistance to communities since the first days after the earthquakes, working with local partner organizations across affected states.

The response includes protection services for children, with a focus on adolescent girls, trauma counselling services, safe spaces in schools and communities, hygiene kits and essential household items, emergency education activities and primary health care.

---

To support children affected by the Venezuela earthquakes, visit https://plancanada.ca/en-ca/donate/emergency-appeals/venezuelaearthquake.

---

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships with and for children for almost 90 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

Media contact

Plan International Canada
PR & Communications
PRteam@plancanada.ca