China provides satellite imagery to support Venezuela earthquake response

Following the earthquake in Venezuela on June 24, 2026, satellite imagery and weather monitoring became integral to the disaster response as authorities worked to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts.

In response, Venezuela activated the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters," a mechanism under which member space agencies pool satellite resources for disaster response. China, which joined the Charter through the China National Space Administration in 2007, moved quickly.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that China had provided satellite imagery of the affected areas to support Venezuela's earthquake response.

The China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application, operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, acquired remote sensing imagery of the affected areas after activating its emergency response mechanism. The satellite data were used to support damage assessment and rescue operations.

According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), its MAZU early warning initiative uses Fengyun satellites to continuously monitor weather conditions over the disaster zone. The CMA said it has been providing rolling precipitation forecasts, hazardous weather monitoring data and other meteorological products to support rescue and recovery activities, helping emergency responders anticipate weather conditions that could affect ongoing operations.

Satellite imagery and weather information play complementary roles during large-scale disasters. Remote sensing data can help identify damaged infrastructure, blocked transportation routes and other affected areas, while meteorological monitoring supports operational planning by providing timely information on rainfall and other weather hazards that may complicate rescue efforts. Together, satellite imagery and meteorological information provide emergency managers with a broader operational picture, particularly when access to affected areas is limited during the early stages of a disaster.

The use of space-based data has become a routine part of disaster management worldwide. Through mechanisms such as the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters," governments and space agencies contribute satellite observations to improve situational awareness and support emergency decision-making following earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.