UN: Up to 6.76 Million May Be Affected by Venezuela Quakes

The United Nations has warned that up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the powerful twin earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela. Emergency teams are racing to deliver aid amidst widespread destruction and growing fears of mass displacement following the devastating tremors.

Preliminary estimates from the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that as many as 2 million people in Caracas alone may be impacted. This figure underscores the enormous humanitarian challenge facing the country. Early satellite assessments revealed that 31.5% of buildings in Catia La Mar sustained damage, offering the first clear indication of the disaster's scale as rescue and damage assessments continue.

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The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows.

"The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows," said Amy Pope, Director General of the IOM. The agency is rapidly expanding its emergency response, deploying pre-positioned relief supplies. Working closely with the Venezuelan government, the UN, and humanitarian partners, the IOM is providing emergency shelter, essential supplies, and protection to those most affected.

"It is already clear that displacement will increase, as people seek safety," Pope stated, emphasizing the critical need for a swift humanitarian response to save lives and support communities in the coming weeks and months. Emergency relief items stored in Caracas are being prepared for distribution to the hardest-hit areas as aid agencies coordinate their operations. The earthquakes, measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude, struck just 39 seconds apart, causing extensive damage and raising concerns over a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

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It is already clear that displacement will increase, as people seek safety.