Overview
- Two powerful earthquakes, which struck on June 24, struck seconds apart and flattened high‑rise blocks in La Guaira and other coastal areas, leaving thousands dead and many more injured.
- Officials reported 4,333 deaths, 16,740 injured and 6,462 people rescued while roughly 18,000 people are living in about 90–94 temporary camps, according to government tallies.
- Emergency teams have shifted focus from search for survivors to body recovery, mass care and damage assessments as more than 1,100 aftershocks and damaged ports and airports have slowed operations.
- The United Nations has launched an urgent appeal for roughly $296–300 million and the UNDRR estimates direct housing and infrastructure losses near $37 billion, signaling a large reconstruction bill.
- Venezuelan leaders have urged release of frozen overseas assets, including UK‑held gold and IMF funds, arguing those funds are needed now to pay for shelter, health care and rebuilding.