UN estimates nearly 6.8 mn people may be affected by Venezuela quakes

The United Nations announced on Saturday that nearly 6.8 million people may be affected by Venezuela quakes after twin tremors devastated the nation on Wednesday.

The disaster has already killed 920 citizens and left tens of thousands missing. Humanitarian agencies are rapidly scaling up emergency operations to deploy life-saving assistance across heavily damaged urban communities.

How many people are affected by Venezuela quakes?

The International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.76 million citizens could suffer from the catastrophic destruction. This projection includes approximately two million residents in the capital city of Caracas alone. Emergency teams are utilizing satellite mapping to locate displaced populations and prioritize the distribution of urgent humanitarian supplies.

Entire residential buildings completely crumbled in the coastal city of La Guaira, situated just north of the capital, following the seismic activity.

The region endured two consecutive powerful tremors measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 during the initial afternoon event. Rescuers state the official national death toll currently stands at 920, while many victims remain trapped under heavy concrete debris.

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed that more than 50,000 individuals remain officially missing across the impacted areas.

The international deployment teams are working around the clock alongside domestic authorities to pull potential survivors from the collapsed structures. Officials fear the total number of casualties will continue to rise as emergency workers slowly clear the hardest-hit neighborhoods.

The migration agency partnered with the Microsoft AI for Good Lab to conduct initial satellite mapping and structural damage analysis. Their preliminary evaluations revealed that 31.5 percent of all buildings in the coastal town of Catia La Mar sustained severe damage.

These advanced technological assessments help emergency responders identify the most vulnerable communities and efficiently prioritize the delivery of life-saving aid.

What emergency relief is the United Nations deploying to the disaster zones?

International coordinators emphasize that the first hours and days following a major seismic disaster are entirely decisive for long-term recovery.

Migration agency chief Amy Pope stated that the organization is rapidly scaling up its operations to assist the vulnerable population. The agency has already begun deploying prepositioned relief items to families who lost their homes during the tremors.

Teams are working directly with the local government and regional partners to deliver emergency shelter, essential medical supplies, and protection services.

Pope warned that mass displacement will surely rise across a country that already faced a severe humanitarian crisis before the disaster. A swift global response remains essential to support the population through the difficult months of recovery ahead.

The migration agency stressed that local survival needs are immediate and significant for families who suddenly lost all their earthly possessions.

Displaced citizens require urgent access to clean drinking water, operational sanitation services, emergency medical healthcare, and specialized protection support. Prepositioned emergency relief supplies in Caracas are currently being prepared for immediate distribution to the communities facing the greatest deprivation.

Officials are urgently calling on the international community to act swiftly and provide financial backing for the ongoing regional rescue operation.

Timely humanitarian assistance will save vulnerable lives, alleviate immense human suffering, and help these shattered communities begin the long road to structural recovery.