Venezuela commemorates one month since the double earthquake with an eye toward reconstruction

Venezuela on Friday commemorated one month since a devastating double earthquake struck the northern part of the country. The anniversary was marked by memorial masses and the assessment of credit plans aimed at assisting families whose homes suffered severe damage. Simultaneously, 39 NGOs issued a joint call for transparency and accountability regarding the ongoing reconstruction efforts.

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the misa also served to thank the work of students, volunteers and rescuers who helped the most affected by the disaster.

At the Central University of Venezuela, the nation's main academic institution, hundreds gathered for a mass honoring those who perished in the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes. Among the victims were 48 members of the university community. The latest official figures report 5,546 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and approximately 18,000 people left homeless.

Father Eduardo Enrique Soto of the University Parish at UCV stated that the mass also served as an occasion to express gratitude for the work of students, volunteers, and rescuers who aided those most affected by the disaster. He suggested the earthquake should serve as an opportunity to set aside ideological differences. In La Lucha, a sector in Urimare, La Guaira state, the area most impacted by the tremors, residents gathered for a Rosary in memory of the local deceased, which included nine fatalities.

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the double earthquake must serve as an opportunity to set aside ideological differences.

Jesús Velásquez, a resident who lost family members, shared his grief and prayed for strength to continue. "I only ask that you give me strength, my eldest daughter, give me a lot of strength, my cousin, my uncle, give us strength to keep moving forward, keep enduring this, keep bearing this great pain that everything left," he told EFE.

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I only ask that you give me strength, my eldest daughter, give me a lot of strength, my cousin, my uncle, give us strength to keep moving forward, keep enduring this, keep bearing this great pain that everything left.

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, affirmed that the government is developing a "master plan" for reconstruction, emphasizing its human dimension through education and employment, and urging citizens not to lose faith. The Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) met with national banking representatives to evaluate strategies for reconstruction, including a credit program for damaged buildings and assistance for those who lost their homes entirely. These measures are designed to avoid impacting the monetary supply, utilizing foreign currency resources. Experts estimate the reconstruction costs will surpass $12 billion.

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its government works on a 'master plan' for the reconstruction of Venezuela.