# Regulators urge safe giving to Venezuela appeal

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/07/04/regulators-urge-safe-giving-to-venezuela-appeal/
- Published: 2026-07-04T10:26:44+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Fundraising Regulator are
urging the public to give through registered charities responding to the earthquakes
that struck Venezuela on 25 June 2026.**

On 1 July the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched its [Venezuela Earthquake Appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/venezuela-earthquake-appeal).
The DEC brings together 15 registered UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and
efficiently during overseas crises.

These charities, along with others, are providing life-saving aid including food,
water, shelter and healthcare to people affected by the earthquakes. The regulators
said that by giving through registered charities, including through [the DEC](https://fundraising.co.uk/tag/dec/),
donors can be assured their donations will be regulated and accounted for in line
with charity law.

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**David Holdsworth**, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, said the scale 
of devastation in Venezuela was heartbreaking and that many people would want to
help. He said giving through registered charities, including those involved in the
DEC appeal, was one of the most effective ways to support the relief effort.

“Registered charities are subject to regulation and must account for how they use
the money entrusted to them, helping ensure donations reach those who need them 
most,” he said.

**Gerald Oppenheim**, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said the British
public were incredibly generous whenever disaster struck, and that people were already
coming forward to help those affected in Venezuela.

“The best way to make sure your donation has the greatest impact is to give through
a trusted, registered charity. Taking a few moments to check who you’re donating
to can give you confidence that your money is supporting genuine relief efforts,”
he said.
He added that simple steps such as looking for the Fundraising Badge and
checking the relevant charity register could help people donate safely and confidently.

## Steps to give safely

The regulators set out several steps for people wanting to support relief efforts:

 * consider donating through the DEC’s emergency appeal
 * check that other charities are registered and legitimate on the Charity Register
 * look for the Fundraising Badge, the logo confirming an organisation is registered
   with the Fundraising Regulator, and check the [regulator’s Directory of organisations](https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory)
   committed to its Code of Fundraising Practice
 * contact a charity directly, or find out more online, to understand how it spends
   its funds
 * make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
 * take care when responding to emails or clicking links within them
 * check the charity’s name and registration number on the Charity Register. Most
   charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered in England
   and Wales

Further tips on [donating with confidence](https://donatewithconfidence.campaign.gov.uk/)
to registered charities are available on GOV.UK.

The [Charity Commission](https://fundraising.co.uk/tag/charity-commission/) often
issues these guides in response to major national appeals, disaster appeals or at
times of heightened charitable giving such as Christmas and Ramadan.

The campaign **raised £7 million** in its first 24 hours.

> Thanks to the generosity of the public, £7 million has been raised for the DEC
> Venezuela Earthquake Appeal. 
> DEC charities and their local partners are providing
> emergency aid to people affected by the devastating earthquakes.Please donate:
> [https://t.co/fP5OwpGimD](https://t.co/fP5OwpGimD)[#UKAidMatch](https://x.com/hashtag/UKAidMatch?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/JFcFKJsxdp](https://t.co/JFcFKJsxdp)
> — Disasters Emergency Committee (@decappeal) [July 2, 2026](https://x.com/decappeal/status/2072738886522945813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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