The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned that humanitarian and protection needs have risen sharply across parts of Venezuela following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country last week, leaving thousands of people in urgent need of assistance.
Speaking at a regular UN briefing on Tuesday, UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf said preliminary assessments carried out by humanitarian teams revealed a rapidly worsening situation as authorities and aid workers continue to evaluate the full extent of the destruction.
According to Wolf, the coastal state of La Guaira has been among the hardest-hit areas, where food shortages, damaged infrastructure, disrupted essential services, and communication outages have severely affected local communities.
UNHCR said it deployed emergency teams immediately after the disaster to assess conditions and provide support. Initial findings showed that 75% of surveyed communities reported injuries, while more than half confirmed fatalities. The agency also expressed concern for vulnerable groups, including older adults and people with disabilities, who face greater risks due to mobility challenges and limited access to information.
The assessment further found that 17% of respondents had identified unaccompanied or separated children within their communities, highlighting growing protection concerns in the aftermath of the disaster.
UNHCR said it is expanding its emergency response by distributing relief supplies, assisting authorities in identifying urgent needs, and mobilizing additional humanitarian assistance for affected families.
Venezuelan authorities reported that, as of June 29, the earthquakes had claimed 1,719 lives, injured at least 5,034 people, and affected 15,866 residents. The disaster also caused extensive structural damage, with 189 buildings collapsing and another 666 suffering partial or significant damage.
To strengthen its response, the UN refugee agency appealed for timely international support, estimating that $14.85 million is needed over the next six months to provide protection services, emergency relief items, and temporary shelter for approximately 30,000 earthquake survivors.
According to the US Geological Survey, Venezuela was struck on June 24 by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, occurring just 39 seconds apart near Yaracuy state. The twin quakes caused widespread destruction across several regions, triggering one of the country’s most severe humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
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