Venezuela initiates housing registry and reconstruction plan after deadly June earthquakes

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the creation of a Unique Housing Registry to record the conditions of families living in temporary shelters after the twin earthquakes of 24 June. The census will start on 11 July with a progressive schedule and use fingerprint devices to build a detailed database. The government reported that 86,794 families have been assisted in 89 transitional camps, expanding shelter capacity to 24,280 beds.

The response also includes a large‑scale reconstruction effort. Authorities plan to rebuild homes, restore basic services and clear an estimated 17 million tonnes of debris, a task that raises environmental concerns about coastal contamination. International assistance has been sought, with Venezuela requesting seismic experts from Chile, Peru and Japan, and receiving pledges of aid from the United Nations, the United States and other donors. Reconstruction costs are projected at up to US$20 billion, far exceeding the aid currently pledged.

Infrastructure recovery is underway: water supply is 84 % restored, electricity 96 % restored, and a new megashelter in Caracas is being prepared to house more than 300 families. The overall effort aims to move displaced residents from emergency shelters to permanent housing while addressing health, logistics and environmental challenges.