Venezuela – International Relief Reaches Earthquake Survivors Across Central Regions
Venezuela – Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has thanked 28 countries for sending humanitarian supplies after the powerful earthquakes that struck central parts of the country on June 24.
Rodriguez visited a relief collection centre in Caracas, where officials are receiving, sorting and preparing more than 2,000 tonnes of international aid for delivery to temporary shelters and affected communities. The supplies are intended to support families who lost homes or remain unable to return to damaged areas.
She said the response from foreign governments and people around the world had offered important support during a difficult period for the country.
“Venezuela remains grateful to the countries, peoples and governments that have extended a helping hand,” Rodriguez said during the visit. She added that donor nations would be able to track the use of their contributions so that assistance reaches people in need.
Emergency Response Continues in Affected Areas
The twin earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction in central Venezuela, according to official updates cited by Xinhua news agency. The latest figures put the death toll at 3,685, while 16,740 people were reported injured.
Authorities said 17,907 people have been left without homes. Earlier official information had placed the number of displaced residents at 17,345, indicating that assessments are continuing as teams reach more locations and verify the impact of the disaster.
Eighty temporary camps have been established to provide accommodation, food, water and other essential services to displaced families. These centres are also being used to coordinate the distribution of relief material arriving from within Venezuela and abroad.
Rodriguez said the country’s immediate focus must remain on helping survivors while preparing for the longer process of rebuilding damaged towns and neighbourhoods.
“The most important task is to look ahead: how we will recover and how we will rebuild the affected areas,” she said.
Search Teams Remain Deployed
Rescue operations are continuing in areas affected by the earthquakes. According to the latest official update, 29,567 rescuers are still working in the field, including 3,281 personnel from other countries.
Search teams are checking damaged buildings, remote settlements and other locations where people may still require assistance. Authorities have also reported that tens of thousands of people remain missing, though the scale of the emergency has made it difficult to confirm individual cases quickly.
Since the June 24 disaster, Venezuela has recorded 1,076 aftershocks. The continuing seismic activity has added to concerns for residents in damaged zones and has complicated rescue and assessment work.
Officials have urged affected families to follow safety instructions and use authorised shelters and relief centres for support. Emergency agencies are continuing to assess infrastructure damage, including homes, roads and public facilities.
National Mourning Declared for Victims
Last week, Rodriguez announced seven days of national mourning in memory of those who died in the earthquakes. In a statement shared on social media, she said the mourning period would begin at 6 p.m. that day.
She said the country was facing deep grief over the loss of life and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support those affected by the tragedy.
“In these moments of profound sadness, we stand with those who are suffering and renew our commitment to accompany and protect them,” Rodriguez said.
Indian Medical Teams Provide Treatment
Indian medical teams are also continuing humanitarian work in Venezuela under Operation Amistad. Survivors and their families have expressed appreciation for treatment and care being provided at the Indian Army’s Field Hospital.
The medical support is part of the broader international response, which includes emergency supplies, rescue personnel and healthcare assistance. As relief operations continue, Venezuelan authorities say international cooperation will remain important in helping communities recover from one of the country’s most serious natural disasters.