VENEZUELA QUAKE: 680,000 children in dire need as death toll hits 1,430
No fewer than 680,000 children are currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis in Venezuela following two devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed this on Sunday, revealing that children make up a significant portion of the 1.8 million citizens currently requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, have left a trail of destruction across the South American nation. According to the latest official data, the death toll has risen to 1,430, with 3,238 others injured. More than 3,100 families have been severely affected, while recurring aftershocks continue to trigger panic and uncertainty across the region.
Hospitals, schools crumble under impact
The natural disaster has dealt a heavy blow to Venezuela’s infrastructure, particularly in the education and health sectors.
In the Capital District alone, preliminary reports indicate that 432 schools—representing more than a third of the region’s educational institutions—have been damaged. The few structures that survived the impact are currently being utilized as temporary camps for thousands of displaced families.
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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also reported that out of 21 health facilities assessed, three have been completely destroyed, while six others suffered severe structural damage and are only partially functional.
“Hospitals are operating beyond capacity, thousands of children lack reliable access to clean water, and many schools have been damaged,” said Manuel Rodríguez Pumarol, UNICEF Representative in Venezuela. “UNICEF is working with the Venezuelan government and its partners to scale up support, but sustained funding will be essential to maintain the response.”
Global rescue teams race against time
An international rescue mission is currently underway, with teams from 27 countries deployed to the disaster zones. Over 2,200 rescuers and 140 search dogs are working round the clock to pull survivors out of the rubble.
Gianluca Rampolla, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Venezuela, led a high-powered delegation to La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the tremors. He commended the massive show of solidarity from local volunteers and international emergency workers.
“The first priority is to get the people still alive out of the rubble… At the same time, we have to support the survivors,” Rampolla stated.
Echoing this urgency, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Head of OCHA, Tom Fletcher, emphasized on social media that “every minute, every hour, counts” in the race to save lives.
Scaling up relief operations
To mitigate the impact of the crisis, the UN and Venezuelan authorities have agreed to establish multi-service hubs in strategic areas of La Guaira. These centers will provide emergency food supplies and medical care; clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities; specialized protection services for children and adolescents as well as mental health and psychosocial support for traumatized survivors and first responders.
UNICEF has already mobilized emergency supplies to target 650,000 people, including 234,000 children. A cargo flight carrying 20 tonnes of medical and sanitation equipment landed in Venezuela on Friday, with a second major shipment from the agency’s global supply hub in Copenhagen expected to arrive in the coming days.
