Double earthquake in Venezuela: a tragedy foretold

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating double earthquake that struck on June 24, leaving a trail of destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has overwhelmed the state's disaster response capabilities.

While official government figures report 3,685 deaths and 16,740 injuries, these numbers are considered preliminary. International organizations and citizen monitoring platforms suggest a far grimmer reality. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates at least 10,000 fatalities, while the Desaparecidos Terremoto de Venezuela platform lists 33,388 missing individuals. The International Rescue Committee and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs project that the number of missing could approach 50,000.

The housing emergency is immense, with authorities acknowledging 17,907 people are homeless. However, a georeferenced study by ANOVA Policy Research indicates that around 73,500 people in the La Guaira coastal area alone live in damaged structures, with 37,611 residing in severely compromised or destroyed buildings. The UN's International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.8 million people may require various forms of assistance, including shelter and medical care.

Material damage is also extensive, far exceeding the official count of 856 affected and 190 collapsed buildings. NASA satellite analysis suggests nearly 58,000 structures may have been impacted. The economic cost is staggering, with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimating damages at $37 billion, equivalent to 43% of Venezuela's GDP. This catastrophe highlights Venezuela's vulnerability, being the second most disaster-prone country in the region.