Venezuela earthquakes kill over 4,300, injured exceed 16,700

The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 have claimed at least 4,333 lives, with National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez reporting that 315 of the deceased remain unidentified. The disaster has left approximately 17,000 people homeless, though rescue efforts have saved 6,462 individuals. The distribution of housing to those affected is slated to begin next week, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the widespread destruction.

Amidst the ongoing recovery, interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has reiterated urgent calls for the lifting of international sanctions. She argued that Venezuela possesses the necessary resources, currently blocked globally, to address the reconstruction process effectively. The sanctions, imposed by the US, EU, and other nations over the past two decades, significantly hinder the nation's ability to rebuild.

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Venezuela has resources blocked ​around the world that could address this process of reconstruction.

An Israeli aid delegation, present in Venezuela since June 30, has extended its earthquake relief mission by an additional two weeks. Following a meeting between President Rodriguez and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the extension was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The small, 30-person delegation has focused on designing a national reconstruction plan, which Venezuela has rapidly approved.

IDF engineers within the delegation have been instrumental in mapping and categorizing approximately 1,300 damaged buildings, classifying them for demolition or potential salvage. Brigadier General Elad Edri highlighted the need for "out-of-the-box thinking" due to the disaster's severity, noting the rapid approval of the multi-year reconstruction plan. The delegation's swift deployment and collaborative efforts underscore the urgency and complexity of the recovery operations.

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Out of the box thinking