The South American nation of Venezuela is reeling from the aftermath of its worst earthquake disaster in over a century. On June 24, rare double earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck within seconds of each other, with their epicenters in Yaracuy state west of the capital, Caracas. The hardest-hit area, La Guaira state has seen unprecedented devastation, leaving thousands dead and many more injured or unaccounted for.
The official death toll, as of Wednesday, has risen to 2,295 with more than 11,200 injured, according to Jorge Rodríguez Venezuela’s National Assembly president. However, the full extent of the tragedy is still unfolding, with tens of thousands of people still missing. The United Nations has warned that the death toll will likely continue to rise as search-and-rescue operations continue and the full impact of the quakes becomes clearer.
Rescue efforts and international aid
In the wake of the disaster, rescue efforts have been hampered by a slow and inadequate response from the Venezuelan government. Many residents in the affected areas have taken matters into their own hands, digging through rubble with their bare hands to search for loved ones. In Los Corales one of the worst-hit areas in La Guaira state neighborhood volunteers have been pulling corpses from collapsed buildings, resorting to using garbage bags and plastic sheets in the absence of body bags.
International aid has begun to pour in, with countries around the world offering support for Venezuela’s emergency response and recovery. The United States has announced one of its strongest responses to a natural disaster in recent years, sending search and rescue teams and military assets to help with logistics, as well as committing $150 million to charities and UN agencies. The European Union has also pledged support, sending more than $5 million in humanitarian aid and activating its Copernicus satellite imagery service to assist rescue teams on the ground.
The humanitarian crisis deepens
The earthquakes have exacerbated an already dire situation in Venezuela, which was grappling with deep crises before the disaster struck. The healthcare system, already struggling due to years of underinvestment, is now at breaking point. Hospitals are overwhelmed, operating far beyond capacity, and health workers are exhausted. The United Nations has warned about the spread of infectious diseases, as many hospitals have been damaged and doctors are missing.
Thousands of people are now living on sidewalks, parks, or soccer fields, with many afraid to return to their homes due to the risk of further collapse. The Venezuelan government has announced plans to open large camps to house those left homeless, but the task ahead is enormous. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.8 million people could be affected by the disaster, requiring shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare, and other relief items.
Stories of loss and hope
Amidst the devastation, stories of loss and hope have begun to emerge. One resident, Rosalia Bustamante told NPR that government delays in getting rescue equipment to devastated areas have cost lives. She lost several friends who were inside a 12-story building that collapsed during the quakes. “There were people in the ruins responding when we called out to them,” Bustamante said. “But now, they are dead.”
Despite the challenges, there have been some miraculous rescues. Six days after the quakes hit, a 3-year-old boy was pulled alive from the rubble in La Guaira. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez wrote on the Telegram messaging app that the rescue of the child, named Klieber Morán was “a source of hope for our people.”
The task ahead for Venezuela is immense, but the heroism and solidarity of its people, along with international support, offer a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.
