Venezuela's government was hit by two powerful earthquakes on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 respectively, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez provided the latest update on the disaster at a press conference.
As of July 2, the earthquakes have claimed 2,595 lives, injured 11,267 people, and left nearly 50,000 missing. Buildings have suffered extensive damage, with at least 189 structures completely collapsed and a large number of civilian infrastructure facilities damaged, including hospitals, roads, power facilities, and residential areas. The states of La Guaira, Caracas, and surrounding areas have been hardest hit, with widespread "pancake-style" building collapses.
Aftershocks have continued, with over 782 recorded so far. Some areas have experienced power outages, water supply disruptions, and gas cuts. Airports have suspended operations, and ports have been temporarily used as storage sites for the deceased. This is Venezuela's most severe earthquake disaster in over a century.
Rodríguez emphasized that the government has made search and rescue its top priority, swiftly deploying the civil protection system and military forces, and setting up an emergency command team to coordinate relief efforts. A seven-day national mourning period has been declared, along with a state of emergency to concentrate resources on disaster response.
Although the chances of finding survivors are diminishing by the day, miraculous rescues continue to emerge – including heartwarming stories such as a father and son being saved together, providing encouragement to rescue teams. Search efforts remain focused on the rubble in coastal areas and urban centers.
Rodríguez, on behalf of the government, expressed gratitude for the support and assistance from the United Nations, governments of various countries, and international organizations. The UN has activated its humanitarian response mechanism, and specialized search and rescue teams from multiple countries have already arrived in the disaster zone. International support is crucial to helping Venezuela overcome this crisis.
Medical experts have issued warnings about the serious risk of disease outbreaks in the affected areas. Damaged hospitals, inadequate sanitation facilities, and the large number of people gathered in temporary shelters have created a severe environment for the spread of infectious diseases. The government is closely coordinating with health authorities and actively implementing preventive measures.
Rodríguez stated that the government will conduct post-disaster damage assessments as soon as possible and develop a plan for infrastructure reconstruction. Facing this once-in-a-century earthquake disaster, Venezuela will require long-term domestic mobilization and sustained international support to achieve comprehensive post-disaster recovery.
Related News:
Venezuela Earthquake | China adds further RMB 100 mn in aid supplies for Venezuela
Comment