The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,490, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The back-to-back quakes, the deadliest in over a century, flattened entire districts in the coastal state of La Guaira. In addition to the fatalities, 16,740 people were injured, and 315 of the deceased have not yet been identified.
Thousands of people remain missing as families continue to search through the rubble more than two weeks after the disaster. While 6,462 individuals have been rescued, approximately 17,000 people have been left homeless. Many displaced Venezuelans are currently forced into crowded shelters or to sleep outdoors, where they are grappling with a severe lack of clean water.
In response to the crisis, the United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for nearly $300 million toward relief operations, while President Delcy RodrÃguez has called for financial assistance. Authorities have announced that the distribution of housing to those affected will begin next week, and plans are underway to set up temporary housing to shelter the thousands who remain displaced.