One month after powerful quakes, Venezuela continues recovery efforts

Venezuelan communities and international responders are continuing recovery and search efforts one month after two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on June 24 and were followed by more than 1,460 aftershocks. As of July 23, authorities had reported more than 5,300 deaths, 16,740 injuries and nearly 18,000 people who had lost their homes.

Heavy machinery continues to clear collapsed structures in the worst-affected neighbourhoods, while families search through the remains of their homes. Many people are also still awaiting information about missing relatives.

A total of 71 international urban search-and-rescue teams from 31 countries arrived in Venezuela to support the response. Working alongside national and local emergency responders, the teams helped clear collapsed buildings and search for survivors beneath the debris.

At the request of Venezuelan authorities, OCHA activated its international search-and-rescue coordination mechanism and deployed additional support to help manage the large-scale emergency response.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquakes were the most powerful to strike Venezuela since 1900.

By Sabina Mammadli