Venezuela rocked by earthquakes: United Nations rallies aid for those affected

UN Secretary General António Guterres has voiced his support for Venezuela in the wake of the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the nation, as announced by UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York.

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During the briefing, Dujarric highlighted the global organisation's efforts to provide assistance to the affected country, where at least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 injured following the powerful tremors that hit northern areas late Wednesday, less than one minute apart.

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The situation in the worst-hit state of La Guaira remains unclear, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first earthquake measured 7.2 on the Richter Scale, with its epicentre near the city of San Felipe, which is home to approximately 220,000 people.

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The second quake was registered at a magnitude of 7.5, reportedly the strongest tremor to hit the country in over 125 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Dujarric stated that Guterres extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, as initial reports indicate significant destruction across several states, including the capital Caracas.

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Many people have been killed or injured, while others remain trapped or are still missing, and critical infrastructure has been damaged, disrupting basic services, according to initial reports.

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The United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilising assistance and working closely with the Government and partners to support the response, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs facilitating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams.

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Guterres welcomed the offers of solidarity and support from Member States at this critical time, and the UN chief expressed his solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela.

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The Government of Venezuela has declared a state of emergency, with international support rapidly mobilising, including incoming Urban Search and Rescue teams from different countries and multiple offers of assistance from across the region and beyond.

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Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described the situation as an incident with serious consequences on Wednesday, as the country struggles to respond to the disaster.

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Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated that the UN and its humanitarian partners had been fully mobilised to support the people of Venezuela, with UN agencies mobilising assistance to deliver support as quickly as possible.

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The UN team in the country is in close contact with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and relevant national authorities, with a central coordination hub established in Caracas to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible.

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OCHA is also supporting the coordination of incoming international search-and-rescue teams expected to arrive in the coming hours, as the situation continues to unfold.

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Meanwhile, UNHCR warned that the effects of the earthquake are likely to exacerbate existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced people, and communities already facing barriers to services.

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These risks include heightened risks of gender-based violence and unsafe or inadequate housing, as well as reduced access to healthcare, water, education, and livelihoods, among others, according to UNHCR.