ASIATODAY.ID, CARACAS — The United Nations has launched an international emergency response after two powerful earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, killing at least 164 people, injuring 971 others, and leaving an unknown number trapped beneath collapsed buildings in and around the capital, Caracas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake struck late Wednesday with a magnitude of 7.2, centered near the city of San Felipe, home to approximately 220,000 residents. Less than one minute later, a second and even stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit the region, marking Venezuela’s most powerful seismic event in more than 125 years.
Authorities are still struggling to assess the full extent of the destruction, particularly in La Guaira state, where communications remain disrupted and access to affected communities is limited.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has activated its emergency response mechanisms, rapidly deploying Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) to support local authorities.
“I am in constant contact with our team in Caracas to ensure a swift and effective response,” UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said on June 25.
“We are urgently assessing humanitarian needs together with the Venezuelan authorities while international support continues to mobilize.”
The disaster has prompted an immediate outpouring of solidarity from across the UN system.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said it stands ready to deliver emergency food assistance and logistical support to affected communities as soon as access is secured.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has begun coordinating with humanitarian partners to assess urgent needs and provide assistance to displaced and vulnerable populations.
“This is heartbreaking news,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said, stressing that rapid international support will be critical to saving lives and helping communities recover.
The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) also pledged its readiness to assist emergency operations wherever needed, while the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed solidarity with those affected and confirmed it is prepared to support relief efforts alongside Venezuelan authorities and humanitarian partners.
With search-and-rescue operations continuing around the clock and thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed, the priority remains locating survivors trapped beneath the rubble, restoring critical infrastructure, and delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
The twin earthquakes are expected to become one of Venezuela’s worst natural disasters in decades, posing a major test for both national emergency response capabilities and international humanitarian cooperation. (AT Network)
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