The death toll from two devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,333, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The back-to-back quakes, the country's deadliest in over a century, flattened entire districts in the coastal state of La Guaira.
Officials report that 16,740 people were injured in the disaster. While 6,462 people have been rescued, approximately 17,000 have been left homeless. Thousands more remain listed as missing, and 315 of the deceased have not yet been identified as families continue to search through the rubble.
President Delcy RodrÃguez and the United Nations have called for financial assistance, with the UN issuing an urgent appeal for nearly $300 million toward relief operations. To assist those affected, Jorge Rodriguez announced that the distribution of housing will begin next week.