The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has deepened after the death toll from the country’s devastating twin earthquakes rose to 1,430, with millions of survivors now in urgent need of food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance.
The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, which struck on Wednesday, caused widespread destruction, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, where rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to the United Nations, more than 6.7 million people could be affected by the disaster and require emergency shelter, healthcare, sanitation and other essential relief supplies.
The UN also warned that over 50,000 people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could continue to rise as rescue operations continue.
In a rare moment of hope, rescuers pulled a newborn baby alive from the rubble in La Guaira more than 32 hours after the earthquakes struck, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the United States has begun sending humanitarian assistance, with military aircraft and rescue teams arriving in Caracas to support ongoing search-and-rescue operations. More than 20 countries have also deployed emergency response teams to assist Venezuela.
Despite the international support, many residents have criticised the government’s response, claiming they were left to rescue trapped relatives without immediate assistance from emergency officials.
The disaster has placed even greater pressure on Venezuela, which has already been struggling with years of economic hardship, weakened healthcare services and political instability.
The UN estimates that the earthquakes have caused approximately $6.7 billion in physical damage, equivalent to about six percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Rescue efforts remain ongoing as authorities race against time to locate more survivors beneath the rubble.
Source: AFP
