Death Toll from Venezuela's Twin Earthquakes Rises Above 5,000; IMF Pledges $346 Million

The devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month have claimed the lives of over 5,000 people, according to an official government report, marking a significant increase in the disaster's grim toll.

The report also indicates that 16,740 individuals have been injured, while 6,462 people have been successfully rescued from the rubble. The scale of the destruction is further evidenced by the fact that 17,907 people are now homeless, with 856 buildings affected and 190 completely collapsed.

In response to the catastrophe, Venezuela has secured $346 million in emergency financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced that these funds, accessed from the country's own resources at the IMF, will be directed towards critical recovery and reconstruction efforts. This includes rebuilding infrastructure, restoring essential public services, and providing assistance to affected families, particularly in areas of housing.

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Following the devastating double earthquake that struck our country, Venezuela initially accessed US$346 million from its own resources at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will be allocated to the recovery and reconstruction process in the wake of the tragedy.

Rodriguez expressed gratitude to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and other institutions for their support in facilitating this crucial step. Georgieva confirmed the release of the funds, extending solidarity to the Venezuelan people and emphasizing the IMF's role in helping the nation access its reserves for urgent humanitarian needs.

The twin earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela's north last month, triggering widespread destruction and chaos. Relief operations are ongoing, with authorities reporting the distribution of over 10 million food supplies and more than 32 million liters of water. The government has deployed nearly 31,000 personnel, supported by over 31,000 volunteers and 2,278 international rescuers, to manage the emergency response. The seismic activity has included 1,350 aftershocks following the main events.

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My heart is with the people of Venezuela as they recover from the devastating earthquakes. We worked with key counterparts to help Venezuela access its own resources at the Fund for urgent humanitarian needs and the authorities have now drawn US$346M from their reserve tranche.