UN requests 296 million dollars in additional aid for the earthquake disaster in Venezuela

The United Nations (UN) has requested an additional 296 million dollars in funding to strengthen humanitarian assistance operations in the region following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Announced by UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Tom Fletcher at a meeting attended by member states in Caracas, this request aims to meet the urgent needs of the victims over the next six months. This additional aid, which is planned to reach approximately 1.3 million people affected by the disaster, requires a significant expansion of the scope of current operations. Fletcher emphasized that the international community must not remain indifferent to this disaster and that uninterrupted continuation of aid is of vital importance. Authorities stated that the humanitarian situation in the region remains highly fragile and that practical solidarity must be demonstrated.

The UN system is preparing an official addendum to integrate these new needs into the existing humanitarian response plan. This mechanism ensures an immediate response to the unexpected crisis created by the earthquakes without waiting for the annually renewed planning cycle. The new framework to be established covers needs in a wide range of emergency areas, including shelter, health, water and sanitation, food security, protection, education, and early recovery. Officials note that this flexible structure allows for the faster allocation of necessary financial support from donors and governments. Thus, the aim is to create a favorable ground for the reconstruction and transition process that begins after the search and rescue efforts have ended. The UN promises long-term support, moving beyond focusing solely on the initial moments of the crisis.

Fletcher, who met with victims in the La Guaira region, stated that he witnessed the painful scenes of families searching for their loved ones under the rubble. He drew attention to the dramatic moments when rescue teams occasionally fell silent amidst the noise of heavy machinery to listen for any sound coming from the debris. Fletcher described the promise he made to mothers asking whether help would arrive as a concrete response from the international community. He stated that humanitarian aid must not be limited only to the initial rescue phase but must continue in a sustainable, generous, and predictable manner. This visit reveals that the region needs a massive reconstruction process and that millions of people have lost their livelihoods. Although approximately 300 million dollars in aid has reached Venezuela so far, there is still a massive funding gap of 627 million dollars to meet urgent needs.

According to official data, the death toll from the earthquakes has reached 3,685, and the number of injured has risen to 16,740. In this major disaster, which affected at least seven states, mostly La Guaira, 17,907 people lost their homes. While 856 buildings were damaged, 190 buildings completely collapsed, and more than 20,000 people are currently sheltered in 87 temporary camps. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil thanked the international community for its support, stating that their priority is the reconstruction of the damaged areas. Gil stated that the government has announced an initial reconstruction fund of 200 million dollars and requested the launch of a comprehensive needs assessment supported by the UN. Furthermore, he called for funds blocked outside the country to be released and used to finance this massive reconstruction process.

The devastating impact of the crisis on disadvantaged groups is considered a serious security concern by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Severe overcrowding in shelters, family separation, and lack of privacy pose serious risks for women, the elderly, disabled individuals, and adolescents. It is estimated that there are 36,700 pregnant women in the affected areas, 4,000 of whom are expected to give birth within the next month. It is projected that more than 1,800 women may need emergency medical intervention requiring specialized care due to birth complications within three months. UNFPA provides a wide range of support in the region's sports facilities and camps, from reproductive health services to protection from violence, and field teams continue their duties working under extremely difficult conditions despite their own personal losses.