Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Venezuela Following Deadly Earthquakes

Following the two violent earthquakes that struck Venezuela, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. More than 3,000 people have lost their lives, nearly 12,000 have been injured, and thousands of families have lost everything. The needs are immense and, amid the chaos, the most vulnerable people risk being the first to be forgotten. 

HI teams are currently on the ground responding to the emergency needs, distributing adapted hygiene kits, and providing rehabilitation and well-being support services.

In the days following an earthquake, every hour counts to prevent injuries from becoming permanent disabilities. In hospitals and in affected communities alike, the consequences of injuries are considerable. Complex fractures, trauma, amputations: thousands of people will need specialist support to regain their mobility and independence. 

Today, HI is one of the only organizations present in Venezuela with expertise in emergency physical and functional rehabilitation. 

Yohanna, an HI’s inclusive Humanitarian Action Specialist, explains: 

“There is a great need for mobility aids: wheelchairs, walking sticks, and crutches. We’ve identified what was missing, so we can provide this equipment as quickly as possible, whilst fully taking people’s individual circumstances into account. For example, for someone living in a rural area with muddy and uneven paths, a wheelchair isn’t necessarily the most suitable option.” 

Our teams also support people with disabilities, so they can access humanitarian aid. HI’s assessment missions found that emergency reception centers are not accessible to people who use wheelchairs or crutches, nor to people who are deaf or blind. 

Yohanna adds,“The bathrooms are unsuitable; too narrow or poorly laid out: The access points are raised or obstructed, and the places are always very noisy… There is a great deal of work to be done to make these shelters truly inclusive, to turn them into safe havens for everyone.”

Stand with Venezuela to continue emergency intervention and provide tailored assistance to those who need it most:
https://donor.hi-us.org/page/venezuela-earthquake. 

For more information about HI's work in Venezuela, check our Venezuela mission page. 

Spokespersons are available for interviews upon request.