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Source: United Nations (video statements)

Two deadly earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing at least 164 deaths and widespread destruction in and around the capital, Caracas as international assistance begins to arrive early Thursday, with UN agencies rapidly deploying aid, support and rescue teams.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EqnZuhhvScY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
– Venezuela/Earthquakes
– Venezuela
– Colombia
– Sudan
– UNIFIL
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Central Emergency Relief Fund
– Uganda
– Ukraine
– UN Charter Day
– The Day of the Seafarer

VENEZUELA/EARTHQUAKES

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

Initial reports indicate significant destruction across several states, including in the capital Caracas. Many people have reportedly been killed and injured, while others remain trapped or are still missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged and basic services have been disrupted.

The United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilizing assistance and working closely with the Government and our partners to support the response. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is facilitating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams.

The Secretary-General welcomes the offers of solidarity and support from Member States at this critical time.

The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela.

VENEZUELA

The Government of Venezuela has declared a state of emergency, while international support is rapidly mobilizing, including incoming Urban Search and Rescue teams from different countries and multiple offers of assistance from across the region and beyond.

Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement this morning that the UN and our humanitarian partners are fully mobilized to support the people of Venezuela. UN agencies are mobilizing assistance and will deliver support as quickly as possible. Our team in country is in close contact with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and relevant national authorities.

A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas, with the UN supporting efforts on the ground to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible.

OCHA is also supporting the coordination of incoming international search-and-rescue teams expected to arrive in the coming hours.

For its part, UNHCR says that the effects of the earthquake are likely to exacerbate existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced people and communities already facing barriers to services. These risks include heightened risks of gender-based violence and unsafe or inadequate housing, and reduced access to health care, water, education and livelihoods, among others.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG65DfCBXEY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

With a record level of conflict worldwide — and an estimated 20,000 lives lost to violence each month — UN Peacebuilding Chief Elizabeth Spehar explains why peacebuilding is the smartest investment we can make.

ASG Spehar addresses the root causes of conflict and the conditions necessary for lasting peace.

Since it began operating in 2006, the Peacebuilding Fund has:

• Invested over USD 2 billion

• Supported more than 75 countries and territories

• Worked through 24 UN entities and over 80 civil society organizations.

From supporting Colombia’s peace process and justice for victims, to safeguarding peacekeeping gains in the Central African Republic.

#Peacebuilding #UnitedNations #PBF20 #SustainingPeace #ConflictPrevention

00:00 What Peacebuilding Really Means
01:30 How the Peacebuilding Fund Works
02:00 20 Years of Impact

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41o3TYMOp64

Source: United Nations (video statements)

“When States become the main violators of the rights of children, this signals a dramatic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and an erosion of the principle that States bear the primary responsibility to protect their populations, including children,” a senior UN official said.

Briefing the Security Council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, said, “The United Nations Monitoring and Reporting mechanism verified 38,558 grave violations against children, affecting 24,174 children. The process of verification was undertaken in 2025, thus including violations that have taken place in previous years. This is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the children and armed conflict mandate.”

She noted that in 2025 the report showed a concerning shift. “For the first time, Government forces are the main perpetrators of grave violations against children overall, and specifically the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access.”

Frazier said, “That is not a marginal development. That is a profound and deeply troubling shift. When States become the main violators of the rights of children, this signals a dramatic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and an erosion of the principle that States bears the primary responsibility to protect their populations, including children.”

According to the report, “The highest levels of violations in 2025 were verified in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdMsvSWllg