UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Venezuela following the twin earthquakes that struck the country, as the United Nations mobilises humanitarian assistance for affected communities.
The UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, disclosed this on Thursday at the UN Headquarters in New York during the daily press briefing.
According to reports, at least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 others injured after the powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela late Wednesday, less than a minute apart.
The extent of the devastation in La Guaira, one of the worst-hit states, is yet to be fully determined.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2, with its epicentre near the city of San Felipe, home to about 220,000 people.
The second quake, measuring magnitude 7.5, was reportedly the strongest to hit the country in more than 125 years.
Dujarric said Guterres extended his sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He said initial reports indicated widespread destruction across several states, including the capital, Caracas.
According to him, many people have been killed or injured, while others remain trapped or missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services disrupted.
“The United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilising assistance and working closely with the Government and its partners to support the response,” Dujarric said.
He added that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was facilitating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams and welcomed offers of assistance from member states.
The Venezuelan Government has declared a state of emergency as international support continues to arrive, including urban search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian assistance from across the region and beyond.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described the disaster as having serious consequences.
In a separate statement, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the UN and its humanitarian partners had been fully mobilised to support those affected.
He said UN agencies were coordinating closely with the Venezuelan authorities, while a central emergency coordination hub had been established in Caracas to ensure aid reached affected communities quickly and effectively.
Fletcher added that OCHA was coordinating the deployment of international search-and-rescue teams expected to arrive in the coming hours.
For its part, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that the disaster could worsen existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced persons and vulnerable communities.
According to the agency, the earthquakes could heighten the risks of gender-based violence, inadequate shelter, and reduced access to healthcare, clean water, education and livelihoods.
Source: NAN
