Two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela have already claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left more than 16,000 people injured. The disaster has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system, which has been struggling for years with a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. Polish Medical Mission has launched an aid operation in cooperation with the Venezuelan organisation CESAP. The first assistance will include water filters, hygiene kits, as well as medical and psychological support.
“The situation is currently dramatic, particularly in hospitals, which must provide urgent medical care to a very large number of victims. Doctors are working in extremely difficult conditions. There is not only an insufficient number of medical staff, but also a shortage of basic medicines and medical supplies. This is caused not only by the disaster itself, but also by the fact that Venezuela has been trapped in a severe economic and humanitarian crisis for years,” Justyna Stępień, a member of the Management Board of Polish Medical Mission, told Newseria.
As a result of the two earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, which struck Venezuela on 24 June, at least 2,954 people have been killed, more than 16,500 injured and around 16,000 left homeless. However, the death toll may prove significantly higher. More than 50,000 people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
According to the World Health Organization, healthcare facilities are operating beyond their capacity, staff shortages are widespread, and limited access to care is increasing the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases, including measles, diphtheria, dengue fever and malaria. The organisation has also reported problems with maternal care, overcrowded surgical wards, and difficulties identifying victims and registering missing persons.
“Medical personnel are doing everything they can, but conditions are extremely difficult, particularly in the provinces of Caracas and La Guaira, where many of the injured are being transported. At the same time, staff need support, as do hospitals that require medicines and medical supplies essential for treating the wounded,” Stępień said.
Work is ongoing to determine the true scale of the destruction. Radar images collected one day after the earthquakes by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellites indicate that nearly 59,000 buildings may have been damaged or destroyed.
“Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes and are living in critical conditions. They are sheltering on streets, in parks and sometimes in collective accommodation centres. They have been cut off from essential goods, including such basic items as clothing and cooking equipment. Our role is also to provide humanitarian aid and help people survive this most difficult period,” the Polish Medical Mission representative said.
Polish Medical Mission is carrying out relief operations jointly with the Venezuelan organisation CESAP. Initial assistance includes the purchase of water filters and hygiene kits for people staying in temporary shelters.
“We must remember that people have already been living for days, and will continue to live, in places where they lack even the most basic conditions to care for themselves. They need to be provided with whatever assistance is possible,” Stępień stressed.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that as many as 6.8 million residents may be affected by the disaster and could require humanitarian assistance, shelter, access to water, healthcare and basic necessities.
As time passes, the importance of psychological support and continued medical assistance will grow.
“With such a large number of people killed and injured in the earthquakes, and with so much uncertainty about whether loved ones have survived, people are experiencing enormous stress. Many have also lost their homes. They need additional support to cope with the situation and find the strength to get through it,” Stępień said.
