Earthquakes in Venezuela: the situation, one month later

One month following the devastating earthquakes of June 24, Venezuela continues to grapple with the aftermath, facing profound grief as thousands mourn the loss of family, friends, and everything they owned.  

This sudden natural disaster that affected particularly the coastal state of La Guaira, near Caracas, has transitioned into a complex, protracted crisis characterized by massive population displacement, severe infrastructural damage, and deep psychological trauma. In La Guaira and Caracas, the urgent needs include access to clean water, adequate shelter, mental health care, and protection.  

The official death toll has reached 5,398, with 16,740 individuals injured, 17,907 displaced, and 6,462 rescued from the rubble. The structural devastation is staggering; 190 buildings have officially collapsed, while over 895 structures, including schools, vital public infrastructure, and hospitals, have suffered severe damage and are at risk of collapse.  

Thousands are currently residing in makeshift Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites or sleeping in tents adjacent to their damaged homes. In Maiquetía (La Guaira), approximately 3,000 individuals are camping on the pavement directly in front of 20 severely damaged and unstable buildings. Similarly, in Avenida Bolívar (Caracas), another 3,000 individuals are living on the streets, stripped of proper shelter and basic services.

In response to the crisis, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) currently operates four mobile clinics providing Primary Health Care, Mental Health support, Health Promotion, and WASH activities across the most affected areas: three in La Guaira (Maiquetía, Catia La Mar, and Tamaguarena) and one in Caracas (Avenida Bolívar). These clinics offer primary healthcare, clean water, and emergency mental health interventions to families who have lost everything. In the past month, MSF medical teams have conducted 2,217 medical consultations. 

The injuries sustained extend beyond physical; families still searching for loved ones beneath the rubble, along with the shock of sudden homelessness and displacement, have given rise to a psychological crisis. 

 With local infrastructure severely compromised, MSF teams are implementing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) intervention:  

• Installed a 5,000-liter water bladder in Playa Verde to serve as a reliable clean water source. 
• Initiated the ongoing chlorination of four primary water distribution sites alongside continuous water purification monitoring. 
• Distributed 5,000 bottles of emergency drinking water to families living on the streets. 

Over the past month, MSF has donated approximately 8.5 tons of emergency medical supplies. This extensive logistical effort has supported immediate, life-saving operations and addressed the healthcare needs of an estimated 10,000 patients. 

MSF teams continue to provide disinfectants and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials not only to active hospitals but also to overwhelmed local morgues, ensuring safety, hygiene, and dignity amid unprecedented loss.