Key facts
- One month after twin earthquakes devastated Venezuela's northern coastline, survivors are still searching for missing loved ones.
- Over 5,300 people have died and more than 16,500 have been injured.
- Tens of thousands are estimated to be missing.
- Survivors express anger and question the structural integrity of collapsed public housing complexes.
- The World Bank estimated the damage caused by the earthquakes at $19.6 billion.
One month after powerful twin earthquakes struck Venezuela's northern coastline, survivors are still grappling with loss and seeking answers. Victor Calderón, a 49-year-old fisherman, lost 26 family members when their public housing complex, OPPE 26 in Caraballeda, collapsed. He continues to search for the last missing relatives, a sentiment echoed by many in the hardest-hit areas.
Official figures report over 5,300 deaths and more than 16,500 injuries, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for. The scale of the tragedy is evident in the collapsed buildings, particularly the public housing complexes, leading to widespread anger and questions about potential negligence, flawed building plans, or inadequate materials. Public Works Minister Juan José Ramírez defended the government's response, stating no nation could have coped with the magnitude of the disaster, which involved two simultaneous earthquakes moving in different directions.
International rescue teams have largely departed, leaving survivors to continue searching for loved ones on their own. Humanitarian organizations like World Central Kitchen are providing essential aid, but the need for housing and reconstruction is immense. The World Bank estimates the damage at $19.6 billion, and the government's donation of 200 homes falls far short of the overall need. The path to rebuilding remains uncertain, particularly given the country's economic situation.