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Death toll from double earthquake in Venezuela rises to 5,546
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

Death toll from double earthquake in Venezuela rises to 5,546

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The death toll from a double earthquake in northern Venezuela has risen to 5,546, with authorities adding 148 fatalities.
  • Over 17,900 people have lost their homes, and more than 23,800 are housed in temporary camps.
  • The World Food Programme has assisted over 100,000 affected individuals and seeks $80 million to aid half a million people in the next two months.

The devastating impact of a powerful double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela a month ago continues to unfold, with the official death toll now reaching 5,546. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced on Friday that 148 additional fatalities have been recorded, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.

The disaster has left a trail of destruction, displacing thousands. According to Rodríguez, more than 17,900 people have lost their homes. Currently, 23,811 individuals are residing in 107 temporary camps, an increase of 476 people since Wednesday. The authorities have provided assistance to 128,324 families. The earthquakes also caused significant structural damage, affecting 856 buildings and causing 190 to collapse. Since the initial tremors on June 24, approximately 1,500 aftershocks have been registered.

The balance of deaths from the double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred a month ago in the northern zone of Venezuela rose this Friday to 5,546, after authorities added 148 fatalities.

— Jorge RodríguezAnnouncing the updated death toll from the earthquakes.

In response to the crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been actively involved in providing aid. The UN agency reported assisting over 100,000 people affected by the earthquakes. With adequate funding, the WFP aims to reach half a million people within the next two months. They have adapted their response to various needs, providing hot meals in shelters, ready-to-eat rations for those on the move, and food baskets for households that can still cook. They also offer electronic vouchers in areas where markets are functioning, allowing families to prioritize their essential needs.

The WFP has stated its need for $80 million to sustain and expand its operations in Venezuela. This funding is crucial to continue providing assistance to the affected population in the coming months. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has begun delivering the first new homes to earthquake survivors, with Delcy Rodríguez and her brother leading an event at Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas.

We have assisted more than 100,000 people affected by the double earthquake of a month ago in Venezuela and with adequate financing we hope to reach half a million in the next two months.

— World Food ProgrammeDetailing their relief efforts and future funding needs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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