A series of powerful earthquakes in northern Venezuela has pushed the country's healthcare system to the brink of collapse, according to reports from the Operative Information Center-OMM.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that consecutive tremors measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale have resulted in over 1,700 fatalities and thousands of injuries. The natural disaster has caused catastrophic damage to essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water supply systems.
During a briefing in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated that at least three medical facilities have been rendered completely inoperable, while six others are operating with severely limited capacity.
Assessments conducted across 21 medical facilities reveal critical overcrowding, significant backlogs for surgical procedures, and a sharp spike in demand for trauma and neurosurgical care. The situation is further complicated by the loss of medical personnel, particularly in the La Guaira region, where the disappearance of obstetric and gynecological staff has severely impacted maternal and child health services.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing in the affected areas. Currently, more than 2,200 rescuers from 27 countries, supported by 140 specially trained search dogs, are working to locate survivors trapped under the rubble.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has established three field hospitals in the La Guaira region, equipped with intensive care and trauma units to manage the influx of patients. Meanwhile, WHO experts have issued warnings regarding the heightened risk of yellow fever and dengue outbreaks in areas with low vaccination coverage.
According to UNICEF, the disaster has impacted hundreds of thousands of children. In the capital region alone, 432 schools have sustained damage, with some currently being utilized as temporary shelters. International organizations are continuing efforts to deliver essential supplies to approximately 650,000 victims, including 234,000 children, as the humanitarian response intensifies.
