Death Toll Rises in Venezuela, As Rescue Operations Intensify

Today, five days after the devastating back-to-back earthquakes which struck Venezuela on June 24, rescue efforts continue with greater intensity as time is running out to find survivors under the rubble. According to the Miami Herald, the death toll today stands at 1,450 with 3,150 injured/hospitalized; 12,721`are officially displaced. The large number of aftershocks, today listed as 512, up from 430 yesterday, has made rescue efforts more difficult as the áreas in which rescuers are working are highly unstable increasing the risk of further building collapses. Damage to infrastructure–roads, telecommunications, the Simon Bolivar International Airport–is hampering rescue efforts as well.

The degree of trauma suffered by the population in the affected áreas is enormous. People are terrified of returning to buildings still standing, fearing that they are structurally unsound. They are sleeping outdoors in parks, makeshift camps, or wherever shelter can be found. A total of 774 buildings have been affected, some partially damaged but many completely destroyed. Every effort is being made to provide support services for traumatized Venezuelans, with psychiatrists and psychologists available on special hot lines to speak to citizens who need help.There are now 2,624 international rescue teams operating on the ground and 137 search dogs. International support continues to pour in. Thousands of Venezuelan policemen, firefighters, military, doctors and civil protection units are also deployed in addition to citizens who are frantically still searching for family members who may be buried under the rubble. In addition there are a total of 7,800 volunteers.