Venezuela inspects land for earthquake-resistant homes for disaster victims

The Venezuelan government has begun assessing potential sites for building new earthquake-resistant housing developments aimed at families who lost their homes in recent seismic activity in La Guaira. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez led inspections across the coastal state, accompanied by specialists in engineering, geology, and urban planning.

The project involves evaluating more than 40 locations, covering a combined area of 584,000 square meters. These sites could potentially house over 25,000 homes designed with seismic construction criteria. The assessments will determine the suitability of the soil for large-scale projects that ensure the safety of future residents.

Rodríguez was joined by Francisco Garcés, president of the Presidential Commission for Housing Habitability and Infrastructure Evaluation, and Paola Posani, Minister of Habitat and Housing. They reviewed technical evaluations in flat areas and plateaus along the central coast.

These inspections are a key part of the third phase of the 'Venezuela Renace' plan, which focuses on transitioning displaced families from temporary shelters to permanent housing. Simultaneously, authorities are working on rehabilitating thousands of damaged homes and assessing other buildings for potential recovery and occupancy. Geotechnical studies will inform the load-bearing capacity of the land and the most appropriate construction methods for each development, incorporating reinforced concrete, steel structures, and energy dissipation mechanisms to enhance seismic resistance.