A man has been rescued after being trapped for eight days in the rubble of a collapsed building in Venezuela, following devastating earthquakes that have left over 2,295 dead and thousands homeless. While this rescue offers a glimmer of hope, it underscores the dire humanitarian situation facing the country, where an estimated 60,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
As rescue efforts transition to humanitarian aid, the focus shifts to addressing the needs of the 13,000 displaced individuals and the potential health crisis looming due to untreated injuries and infectious diseases. Venezuela’s already strained healthcare system, suffering from shortages, is ill-equipped to handle the aftermath of such a disaster.
International aid is crucial, with the World Food Programme appealing for $50 million to support 500,000 people over the next three months. The United Nations has estimated the physical damage at $6.7 billion, highlighting the long-term recovery challenges the nation will face.
The situation is exacerbated by Venezuela’s ongoing economic hardships, which have persisted for two decades. The combination of natural disaster and economic crisis means that the country will require sustained international support for years to come, as it grapples with the extensive fallout from these earthquakes.
Source: Al Jazeera
