Rescue teams in Venezuela successfully recovered 43-year-old security guard Hernan Gil from the rubble of a seven-storey building in Catia La Mar eight days after twin earthquakes struck the region. While the rescue provides a rare success, the Venezuelan government reports at least 2,295 confirmed deaths and 11,000 injuries, with 50,000 people still missing and 60,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.
How did rescuers reach the survivor?
The extraction of Hernan Gil required a multi-national effort that spanned over a week. According to Cristian Vera, the leader of the Chilean rescue team, responders dug a three-metre tunnel to reach the specific location where Gil was trapped. Before the extraction, teams from countries including the United States, Portugal, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela provided life-sustaining supplies to the survivor via a hose and oxygen tube.
Rescue teams often mark collapsed structures with a “D” for “deceased,” signalling no signs of life could be detected.
What happens when rescue operations shift to humanitarian aid?
As the window for finding survivors closes, the focus of international and local agencies is shifting toward long-term humanitarian relief. Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basravi reports that the scale of destruction—affecting an estimated 58,000 to 60,000 buildings—makes continued rescue efforts increasingly unlikely to yield survivors. The transition involves addressing the needs of 13,000 displaced residents.
The United Nations Development Programme estimates the cost of physical damage at $6.7bn based on satellite imagery. Humanitarian workers warn that the country’s strained medical system, already suffering from shortages of equipment and power, now faces a significant risk of infectious disease outbreaks and untreated injuries.
Why is international funding critical for the recovery?
Venezuela’s economic instability, which has persisted for two decades, complicates the recovery process. Journalist Noris Soto notes that the earthquake compounds existing economic hardships, necessitating long-term international support. The World Food Programme has issued an appeal for $50m to provide food for 500,000 people over the next three months.
Financial assistance has begun to arrive from the international community, including a $300m pledge from the United States. While the U.S. government continues to support interim President Delcy Rodriguez, the scale of the crisis suggests that aid will be required for years to come to rebuild basic infrastructure and restore health services.
Follow verified international relief organizations or the United Nations Development Programme for updates on how humanitarian aid is being distributed to the most affected coastal areas like La Guaira.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are still missing in the earthquake aftermath?
According to the latest official figures from the Venezuelan government, approximately 50,000 people are reported missing.
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What is the current death toll from the earthquakes?
The government has confirmed at least 2,295 deaths, though officials have stated that this number is expected to rise as search efforts continue.
Which countries are assisting in the rescue efforts?
Rescue teams from Venezuela, Chile, the United States, Portugal, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico have been involved in the operation.
What is the estimated cost of the damage?
The United Nations Development Programme estimates the physical damage to be approximately $6.7bn.
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