MapAction mappers in Venezuela to support UN response to earthquakes

MapAction has sent a team of two experienced humanitarian mappers to Venezuela at the request of the office of the United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC). Our experienced deployed members Harry Matchette-Downes and Jorge Andres are available to talk to you from Venezuela if you would like an update from the ground. Their work creating maps from incoming data helps search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid agencies to coordinate the response and reach those that are most in need of support. 

MapAction is a UK-based humanitarian mapping and information management charity. Since 2002, we have responded to more than 150 emergencies, including 20 earthquakes. We are a volunteer-driven organisation with 70+ expert members working in GIS, AI, data management and data science. More about what MapAction does in this brief video.

FYI, the three sample MapAction maps below from Venezuela highlight:

1. Active clinics, hospitals and medical facilities in critically-affected areas: https://maps.mapaction.org/dataset/2026-ven-001-ma017-v1

The map highlights which medical facilities are active in the most affected state, La Guaira. “Health services are under extreme pressure now,” said Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the UN World Health Organization (WHO), as a surge in trauma cases exceeds the capacity of health facilities, according to a June 30th UN update.

WHO-verified data from Saturday June 27th for 21 health facilities across Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda and Falcón indicates that three are “in critical condition”, six have structural damage or are partly functional, while the remainder “remain operational under significant strain”, Mr. Lindmeier said in the same update. 

2. Operational airports: https://maps.mapaction.org/dataset/2026-ven-001-ma009-v1

The two earthquakes in Venezuela forced the closure of the country’s largest airport – Simón Bolívar International Airport which serves the capital Caracas. This MapAction map shows which other airports are still operational.

As international search and rescue teams and humanitarians continue to arrive to provide support to local authorities in the response, understanding which airports are open is critical for coordination and to deliver emergency aid.

3. Critical priority areas for rapid assessment teams: https://maps.mapaction.org/dataset/2026-ven-001-ma019-v1

Search and rescue and rapid assessment teams need to focus on the most affected areas. This map supports such coordination. 

You’ll find more details, images, maps and insights from the response in our blog. Please do get in touch if you would like more details.