CARACAS/WASHINGTON/GENEVA, June 30: The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to at least 1,719, with more than 5,000 people injured and around 50,000 still missing, authorities and the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes-the strongest to hit the South American nation in more than a century-have left widespread destruction, prompting an international relief effort as concerns grow over food shortages, homelessness and potential disease outbreaks.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 5,034 people were injured, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors despite the passing of the critical 72-hour rescue window. "Our efforts will continue as long as there is hope of finding survivors," officials said.
* Over 58,000 buildings damaged in Venezuela
* UN calls for food, shelter to help Venezuela quake survivors
* WHO sounds alarm on disease outbreaks in quake-hit Venezuela
A preliminary assessment by the US space agency NASA, based on satellite radar data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 mission, estimated that about 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed across the affected region. The agency stressed that the assessment was preliminary and would require verification on the ground.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned that tens of thousands of survivors urgently need food, clean water and temporary shelter. Basic services have collapsed in the worst-hit port city of La Guaira, while communications remain severely disrupted.
"Food shortages are widespread, basic services have broken down, and connectivity has been largely severed," UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf said, adding that community tensions are rising as humanitarian assistance struggles to reach affected areas.
UNHCR is seeking $14.85 million to provide emergency protection, relief supplies and shelter for 30,000 people over the next six months. �"AFP
