Nearly seven million individuals may have been affected by the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela, according to new United Nations estimates. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that up to 6.76 million people could be impacted, a figure derived from current population and damage data. These projections include approximately two million residents in the capital, Caracas, highlighting the massive humanitarian scope of the disaster.
As of now, the confirmed national death toll has reached 920, with thousands of people still missing and feared to be trapped under debris in areas like the coastal city of La Guaira. The IOM has called for an urgent international response, emphasizing a critical need for emergency shelter, sanitation, safe water, and medical care.
Amidst the destruction, rescue efforts have yielded some success. Search teams discovered a newborn baby in the ruins of a collapsed building in La Guaira, 32 hours after the initial tremors. The 18-day-old infant was recovered uninjured, and the child’s mother was also rescued shortly thereafter.
Venezuela’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oliver Blanco, stated that the country has received 17 international flights carrying over 1,600 rescue personnel, with 25 additional flights expected in the coming days. Specialized teams from nations including Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and the United States are currently assisting in Caracas and La Guaira, working alongside thousands of local volunteers.
United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher noted that more than 50,000 individuals remain missing. The UN has deployed 35 specialized search and rescue teams, including over 100 dogs, to support local efforts. Fletcher acknowledged that operating within an active earthquake zone remains a significant challenge for rescue operations, though the primary focus remains on saving lives during the critical 72-hour survival window.
Government authorities have implemented travel restrictions for La Guaira to manage the response, requiring individuals to register before entering the state. However, the official response has faced criticism from some residents. Meanwhile, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez reported that 3,360 people have sustained injuries. The political landscape remains tense, as experts suggest the disaster serves as a geopolitical stress test for the interim government’s relationship with the United States.
Global support continues to arrive, with Chinese President Xi Jinping pledging reconstruction and relief assistance. Additionally, Germany has dispatched transport aircraft carrying relief supplies and personnel, and US Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard has arrived in Caracas to coordinate US military support. The confirmed number of foreign victims has risen to eight, including two Spanish nationals, while many others remain unaccounted for.
