The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela late last month has climbed to 3,535, according to the latest official figures released on Monday.
The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within seconds of each other on June 24, shaking the capital, Caracas, the coastal state of La Guaira, and surrounding areas. The disaster caused widespread destruction, with an estimated 60,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said 16,740 people have been injured, while at least 17,854 residents have been left homeless. Around 12,800 displaced people are currently staying in 80 emergency shelters across Caracas and La Guaira.
Humanitarian agencies and health officials have warned that the country now faces a growing public health emergency. Thousands of displaced people are living in overcrowded shelters or in the open without reliable access to clean water and sanitation, increasing the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital in Caracas, warned that prolonged displacement could lead to the rapid spread of infections.
“We have already gone through a major humanitarian crisis. More challenges lie ahead, and the growing risk of infectious diseases is making the situation even more serious,” he said.
An Al Jazeera correspondent reported last week that cases of diarrhea and other illnesses have already begun to emerge at a shelter in La Guaira, raising concerns over deteriorating health conditions among survivors.
