The death toll resulting from the twin earthquakes in Venezuela has now reached 3,535, as per authorities’ latest update on Monday. Nearly 18,000 individuals are currently without homes over a week after the calamity struck the capital city and neighboring coastal regions. Top legislator Jorge Rodriguez revealed that the most recent official figures indicate 16,740 people have sustained injuries, with 17,854 individuals left homeless following the quakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred in quick succession on June 24.
The updated statistics highlight the extensive impact of the disaster in and around Caracas and La Guaira, the coastal area most severely affected, sparking criticism regarding the government’s response. Venezuela’s social vice-presidency reported that approximately 12,800 individuals are seeking refuge in 80 shelters scattered across Caracas and La Guaira.
Dr. Mauricio Cerpa Calderon, an advisor at the Emergency Operations Center of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, cautioned about escalating health hazards within these temporary shelters. He emphasized issues such as overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, compromised access to clean water, sanitation challenges, and improper food and waste management as key concerns.
Immediate health priorities include tackling respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin ailments, wound infections, dengue, and preventable diseases like tetanus, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio, as highlighted by Cerpa. Acting president Delcy Rodriguez has defended the government’s handling of the crisis despite mounting dissatisfaction among Venezuelans who perceive the response as belated and insufficient. Notably, global humanitarian organizations, including the International Rescue Committee, have also voiced criticisms.
Rodriguez mentioned that security forces were promptly mobilized post-earthquakes and announced the establishment of a new military unit to enhance readiness for future emergencies and disasters. U.S. chargé d’affaires in Caracas, John Barrett, affirmed that Venezuela has cooperated fully with U.S. requests to bolster humanitarian efforts. He reiterated commitments to spearhead initiatives that mobilize local and international response teams to aid affected communities.
In La Guaira, witnesses observed trucks and forensic personnel transporting coffins while graves were being prepared in an open area marked by white crosses for the burial of bodies. Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment. Published photos from Spanish newspaper El Pais revealed graves bearing names as well as numerical markings.
To manage the influx of casualties, PAHO and the World Health Organization have supported body management by providing technical guidelines, body bags, and establishing three refrigerated containers at the La Guaira port and two crematoriums at other locations. The United Nations stated its ongoing efforts to enhance aid operations in coordination with the Caracas government.
Search and rescue teams, specialized engineering units, and medical support teams continue to reinforce operations in the affected regions, as confirmed by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. National health authorities are evaluating targeted vaccination campaigns in temporary shelters based on risk assessments, vaccine availability, and national guidelines to mitigate health risks.