Direct Relief Receives $1 Million from Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation for Venezuela Earthquake Response

Direct Relief today announced it has received a $1 million donation from the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation to support ongoing humanitarian efforts following the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026.

The donation will help Direct Relief continue providing medicines and emergency medical supplies requested by healthcare providers and humanitarian organizations serving affected communities. It will also support locally led efforts as the response transitions from immediate emergency operations to long-term recovery.

"Venezuela's already fragile emergency medical system, strained by the country's broader economic collapse over many years, underscored for us the urgent need for philanthropy and the nonprofit sector to step forward," said Hugo Amador, Communications Manager at the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. "We knew that Direct Relief had the established local networks in Venezuela to support recovery efforts in the wake of the earthquakes, and we're proud to support their mission."

The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread damage from the epicentral region near Yumare to greater Caracas. According to the latest official figures, more than 6,500 people were killed and more than 226,000 were treated at hospitals. Nearly 24,500 people remain in transitional camps. The disaster added to existing pressures on Venezuela's health system, while a post-disaster assessment estimates recovery needs at $21 billion.

Since June 24, Direct Relief has provided 46.7 tons of medicines and medical supplies valued at $31.2 million and provided $550,000 in emergency grants to seven organizations in support of the Venezuela earthquake response efforts.

"The Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation's extraordinary generosity will give healthcare providers and community organizations greater flexibility to meet urgent needs as conditions continue to evolve," said Elizabeth Spies, Senior Manager, Foundation Engagement at Direct Relief. "This commitment will help sustain essential medical assistance throughout the long recovery ahead."

The organization's efforts have supported search and rescue, mobile medical care, logistics, warehousing, and rehabilitation services, including prosthetic and orthotic care. Aid shipments have included essential medicines, emergency medical backpacks, hygiene kits, personal protective equipment, medical-grade tents, nutritional products, and supplies for wound care, nephrology, and other critical health needs.

Direct Relief is working with local organizations including Fundación Wayuu Taya, the Venezuelan Red Cross, and Acción Solidaria to direct resources where they are most needed. Direct Relief's established relationships within Venezuela enabled the organization to respond quickly after the earthquakes and adapt its support as needs evolved.

The gift from the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation comes during a year in which the Foundation has announced plans to distribute more than $26 million through its "26 in '26" initiative. The commitment represents the largest annual philanthropic investment in the foundation's history and expands its support for organizations serving children, families, veterans, patients, and communities in need.

Established in 2010, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation supports leaders, organizations, and ideas that advance equity, dignity, and prosperity nationally and internationally, with the belief that change begins at the local level. Its grantmaking emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and support for organizations that understand and respond to the needs of the communities they serve. Based on Long Island, New York, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation is the largest philanthropic foundation by revenue in the region.