Venezuela earthquake death toll reaches 4,561 as relief efforts continue

The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June have killed 4,561 people, injured 16,740 and left 17,907 without homes. About 20,231 survivors are housed in 107 temporary camps, and the government reports that 128,324 families have received assistance such as food, water and medical care.

A joint rescue effort involves 30,989 security personnel, 30,692 civilian volunteers, 2,471 international rescuers and 2,471 specialists from abroad. Aid shipments have delivered more than 10,000 tons of food, 19.6 million L of water, and medical supplies. Mexico sent two navy vessels with 388 tonnes of humanitarian aid, Russia delivered a large cargo of medical supplies, and other countries have deployed field hospitals.

NASA’s NISAR satellite mapped a surface displacement of up to 60 cm along the fault that triggered the quakes. The United Nations estimates direct material damages at $37 billion and has activated emergency funds. The Venezuelan authorities have begun a biometric census of displaced families and plan to build roughly 25,000 new homes, with the first 200 slated for delivery within days.