The number of deaths caused by the earthquakes that hit Venezuela last Wednesday (24) rose to 1,943, according to a new balance released this Tuesday afternoon (30) by the country’s government. Authorities also updated the number of injured to 10,571 and reported that 6,461 people had been pulled alive from the rubble since rescue operations began.
The data was presented by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez. According to him, 15,866 families were directly affected by the tremors, considered the strongest recorded in Venezuela in more than a century.
The search for survivors entered its sixth day, concentrated mainly in the state of La Guaira, where the biggest collapses occurred. Rescue teams continue to work in collapsed structures, while the chances of finding people alive decrease as the hours pass.
According to the official report, 855 buildings suffered damage across the country. Of this total, 189 collapsed completely, 158 in La Guaira alone, and another 666 presented partial collapse or serious structural damage, requiring repairs or reconstruction.
To serve the displaced population, the government reported that it had installed 72 temporary shelters: 14 in La Guaira and another 58 distributed between Caracas, Miranda and other affected states. According to Rodríguez, the priority is to ensure that families remain in these spaces for as short a time as possible, with the recovery of homes that can be rebuilt and the replacement of those considered uninhabitable.
The authorities also released a summary of the national and international mobilization to respond to the emergency. In total, 51 foreign delegations participate in the operations, bringing together 3,660 rescuers, 148 sniffer dogs and 48 specialized support units. They are joined by more than 26 thousand Venezuelan agents and around 15.4 thousand volunteers mobilized to work in rescues, logistics, food distribution, medical care, security and damage assessment.
During a press conference, Rodríguez explained that the work continues to be concentrated mainly in the cities of Caraballeda and Catia La Mar, in La Guaira. According to official estimates, around 30,000 people were in these locations at the time of the earthquakes, including residents and tourists. The calculation was prepared based on field surveys, reports from survivors, family members, medical teams and rescuers.
In addition to the human impact, the earthquakes worsened the social situation in the northern region of the country. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 6 million people have been affected by the tremors. Several countries sent rescue teams, equipment and humanitarian aid to reinforce the response to the emergency.
Venezuelan Consulate in São Paulo collects equipment
The Consulate General of Venezuela in São Paulo began, last Friday (26), a campaign to collect protective equipment for rescue teams and volunteers working in areas hit by earthquakes.
According to the diplomatic representation, helmets, flashlights, protective gloves, safety glasses, rubber boots and tents are being received. The materials will be sent exclusively to workers involved in search, rescue and emergency response operations.
The consulate reported that it does not receive donations of water, food, medicine, clothing or money. The guideline is to focus efforts on obtaining equipment considered essential to reinforce security and expand the operational capacity of brigades operating in the most affected areas.
Donations can be delivered to the headquarters of the Consulate General of Venezuela in São Paulo, located at Rua Teixeira da Silva, 660, in the Paraíso neighborhood, in the capital of São Paulo. Additional information can be obtained by email [email protected].
Brazil also maintains a humanitarian mission in Venezuela. Last Sunday (29), the Navy began setting up a field hospital in La Guaira, in a joint operation with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), for emergency care and stabilization of victims. The action is part of the federal government’s response to the disaster in conjunction with the Venezuelan authorities.
Solidarity campaign of popular movements
In addition to institutional mobilization, Brazilian popular movements directed a solidarity campaign in support of the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela. The initiative seeks to raise funds to strengthen humanitarian assistance actions and assist families affected by the tragedy.
Donations can be made through the Associação Brasil Popular:
Popular Brazil Association
CNPJ: 07.696.592/0001-77
Caixa Econômica Federal
Agency: 7731
Current Account: 000577559406-8
Operation: 1292
Pix Key: [email protected]
According to the organizers, the funds raised will be used for solidarity actions with the affected communities and the teams that work to assist the victims.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
