In the wake of devastating earthquakes that hit Venezuela last month, the nation faces an arduous journey toward recovery, compounded by significant humanitarian needs. With tens of thousands missing and a growing call for international support, Venezuela’s resilience and its people’s determination shine amidst a challenging landscape marked by unforeseen natural disasters and economic barriers.
Almost 5,000 individuals tragically lost their lives during the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June, while the United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people remain missing, with many feared buried under rubble. Lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez reported the confirmed death toll has risen to 4,930 as rescue efforts continue in the devastated regions.
The earthquakes affected countless others, leaving nearly 17,000 people injured and approximately 21,120 currently residing in shelters. While local teams have been mobilized since the disaster struck, affected individuals have expressed concerns regarding the speed and effectiveness of the state’s response. Cinthia Pulido, a displaced Venezuelan, emphasized the role of civilians, stating that immediate help has come from those outside the government apparatus, while a more substantive state-led response has taken time to materialize.
Initially, international rescue teams arrived to assist, but as efforts shifted to humanitarian relief, their presence dwindled. Louismarez Paez, another person displaced by the earthquakes, shared the precariousness of her situation, highlighting that her mother has received no assistance beyond what she personally provides. “The little I can get is just for me to survive, support my children, and help my mum,” she explained.
The recovery process is further impeded by stringent U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela since 2015. Experts argue that these restrictions exacerbate the challenges faced by the government in meeting the needs of affected citizens. Mark Weisbrot, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, noted, “Venezuela has crucial resources that it is not being allowed to access,” pointing out that about billion in funds are blocked by the U.S. and European countries.
In a positive development, a group of 14 Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. recently penned a letter urging the White House to ease these economic sanctions, asserting that they are “severely hampering urgent relief efforts” and undermining Venezuela’s capacity for recovery and reconstruction. The United Nations has projected that the total cost for recovery efforts may reach up to billion, underlining the need for a united international response to assist Venezuela in its time of crisis.
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