The United Nations is scaling up relief operations in Venezuela after two massive earthquakes struck the country’s north-central region, leaving thousands dead and billions of dollars in destruction.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Monday that agencies and partners are working closely with the Venezuelan Government to reach survivors. “Our partners and we are continuing to scale up assistance to impacted people by the earthquakes, in coordination with the Government,” he said.
The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, hit on June 24 just 39 seconds apart, flattening homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
A UN disaster risk assessment estimated direct physical damage at $37 billion, including $24 billion in losses to housing and public facilities, and $13 billion to infrastructure. Telecommunications alone suffered an estimated $5 billion blow.
The human toll is staggering. Government figures show more than 3,340 people killed, over 16,740 injured, and nearly 17,000 left homeless.
Families are sheltering in stadiums and sports centres converted into 79 temporary camps, where aid workers are distributing food, water, and medical supplies.
Children have been hit especially hard. UNICEF estimates 234,000 children are among the 650,000 people in urgent need of help.
One-third of schools in Caracas and the surrounding areas were damaged, disrupting education for thousands.
UNICEF has already delivered 68 tonnes of emergency supplies and is appealing for $52 million to expand healthcare, nutrition, safe water, child protection, and education services.
Search and rescue teams are still combing through rubble in the worst-hit communities.
Medical staff, engineers, and specialists are arriving to support the response, while humanitarian officials warn the economic impact will rise as reconstruction costs mount.
Health partners are providing primary care, mental health support, psychosocial services, and reproductive health assistance.
Access to clean water and sanitation is improving through hygiene kit distributions and expanded facilities in shelters.
So far, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Venezuela has received $274 million, with an additional $32 million from private donors and in-kind contributions.
But UN officials stress that more will be needed to rebuild lives and restore communities.
For survivors, the relief effort is a lifeline. In the camps, families cling to hope that the world’s attention will not fade as they begin the long journey of recovery from one of Venezuela’s deadliest natural disasters in decades.
