Venezuela’s twin earthquakes last month have caused widespread devastation, with the death toll now exceeding 3,889, according to official reports. Injuries and displacement remain severe, with lawmaker Jorge Rodrigues reporting at least 16,740 injured and 17,907 individuals displaced by the tremors.
Regional health authorities, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have issued urgent warnings about the heightened risk of disease outbreaks. Displaced populations in Venezuela’s northern coastal region—hardest hit by the earthquakes—face critical challenges due to limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care.
PAHO director Jarbas Barbosa emphasized that the primary health threats in the coming weeks may extend beyond physical injuries to include disruptions in healthcare services, overcrowded living conditions, and failures in water and sanitation infrastructure. “The situation requires immediate action to prevent a broader health emergency,” he stated, urging collaboration with Venezuela’s health ministry to address urgent needs.
In response to the crisis, PAHO is partnering with local officials to enhance vaccine distribution and monitor potential outbreaks of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses in temporary shelters. Meanwhile, the United Nations has launched a $300 million appeal to support 1.3 million Venezuelans urgently requiring aid, with a critical need for an additional $15 million to repair damaged hospitals and maintain public health in displacement camps.
