UNDP-recruited engineers join Venezuela's commission for seismic-hit infrastructure

A team of engineers, brought in by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has joined Venezuela's Presidential Commission for Infrastructure Habitability to aid in the recovery from recent seismic events.

The commission's work focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and reconstructing buildings affected by earthquakes that struck on June 24. Engineer Francisco Garcés, who heads the commission, stated that this joint initiative will continue the process of reviewing national infrastructure.

"We have evaluated thousands, but there are still people waiting to know if they can return to their homes, if they are repairable or not; there is much to do, this is only the first part of the work," Garcés said, highlighting the extensive nature of the task ahead.

The next phase will determine whether damaged structures require repair, reinforcement, or demolition. Following this, repairs will commence based on guidelines developed by the commission and shared with local authorities. Garcés detailed various repair methodologies, noting that not all damage necessitates demolition, with techniques like stapling, resin application, or injection being viable options.

In the state of La Guaira alone, over 500 buildings have been identified for demolition due to severe damage. The commission is also focusing on raising public awareness and assessing the broader consequences of the earthquakes on the population. "Don't just see this as work, but as a way to see, learn, and contribute so that we can grow socially and professionally and our experience can serve other countries," Garcés remarked on the educational aspect of their mission.

Official figures from the Habitability Commission indicate that 44,676 property inspections have been completed nationwide. Of these, 25,981 buildings are classified as safe (green tag), 10,147 have restricted use (yellow tag), and 8,548 are deemed uninhabitable or at risk (red tag).