Death Toll and Injuries
The death toll from Venezuela’s catastrophic twin earthquakes has surpassed 4,300, according to government reports released on Saturday.
Jorge Rodríguez, the Venezuelan parliament chief, stated on Telegram that at least 4,333 people lost their lives and 16,740 were injured in the consecutive quakes on 24 June. These earthquakes devastated entire districts in the coastal state of La Guaira. Additionally, thousands remain missing amid the widespread destruction.
Details of the Earthquakes
The first quake measured 7.2 in magnitude, followed 39 seconds later by a more powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor, marking the strongest seismic event in Venezuela in over a century. The impact resulted in the collapse of numerous high-rise apartment buildings.
Although official rescue teams have ceased searching for survivors, many families continue to comb through the rubble in hopes of recovering their loved ones and providing them with dignified burials.
On Friday, a 3.0-magnitude earthquake struck central Caracas, causing brief panic and prompting evacuations of several buildings.
Recovery Efforts and Challenges
The scale of the recovery operation in Venezuela is immense, particularly given the country's prolonged economic crisis that has severely weakened state services.
The United Nations issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday, requesting nearly $300 million to support earthquake relief efforts aimed at assisting 1.3 million people in urgent need across the South American nation. This appeal comes at a time when non-governmental organizations, which until recently faced government repression, are now actively involved in relief operations.
In the northern state of La Guaira, where the majority of the destruction occurred, mobile kitchens, clinics, and field hospitals have been established in public spaces to provide immediate aid.
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has estimated the direct physical damage to housing and infrastructure at approximately $37 billion.
Calls for Financial Support
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, has called for the release of frozen assets held abroad to fund the recovery efforts. On Wednesday, she reported having requested King Charles to release about 30 tons of Venezuelan gold currently frozen under UK sanctions.
"We have asked King Charles to release about 30 tons of Venezuelan gold frozen under UK sanctions," Rodríguez said.
She has also reassured the public in response to the twin earthquakes, emphasizing that the country would not succumb to social unrest.
Public Reaction
Many Venezuelans have expressed frustration and anger over what they perceive as an inadequate response from the US-backed government in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, prior to the arrival of international aid teams.
With contributions from Agence France-Presse and Associated Press.
