Venezuela quake death toll tops 5,000 as IMF releases emergency aid
Venezuela's death toll from twin earthquakes in late June has exceeded 5,000, with over 16,000 injured and approximately 20,000 people displaced. The International Monetary Fund released $346 million in emergency financing to address humanitarian needs following the disaster.
Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast within one minute of each other on June 24, causing widespread devastation particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira north of Caracas. According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, confirmed deaths have reached 5,069, with the majority occurring in La Guaira, which hosts Venezuela's primary international airport, major seaport, and numerous residential towers that sustained partial or complete collapse. The injured count stands at 16,740, though Rodriguez indicated most have been discharged from medical facilities.
Recovery efforts have been ongoing as rescue teams continue clearing rubble and accessing previously unreachable areas, contributing to the rising death toll. More than 1,300 aftershocks have followed the initial earthquakes. Approximately 20,000 individuals remain displaced, many sheltering in overcrowded facilities with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation services.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced Friday that Venezuela secured $346 million in emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund, with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirming the funds were released from Venezuela's reserve tranche to address urgent humanitarian requirements. This financial support came after the IMF and World Bank restored relations with Venezuela in April, following the United States' removal of former President Nicolas Maduro in January. The institutions had suspended ties in 2019 after declining to recognize Maduro's government.
Public dissatisfaction regarding the government's disaster response has intensified, with survivors and critics alleging authorities acted too slowly while people remained trapped. Reuters investigation findings published Saturday revealed that initial rescue operations faced obstacles including delayed military deployment orders, insufficient rescue equipment, and command structure confusion, according to military and diplomatic sources. Rodriguez has consistently rejected accusations of sluggish response, characterizing claims of chaos as narratives created by "media laboratories" and asserting the government mobilized promptly.
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