Venezuela earthquakes: UN mobilises support to help victims

UN Secretary General António Guterres has expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the twin earthquakes that struck the country.

UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said this on Thursday at UN headquarters in New York while briefing journalists on the support the global organisation is offering to the country.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 were injured after the powerful tremors hit northern areas late Wednesday less than one minute apart.

However, it is not yet known how bad the situation is in the worst-hit state of la Guaira.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first earthquake measured 7.2 on the Richter Scale.

Its epicentre was near the city of San Felipe, home to some 220,000 people. The second quake was registered at 7.5 magnitude and was reportedly the strongest tremor to hit the country in more than 125 years.

Dujarric said Guterres extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

Initial reports indicate significant destruction across several states, including in the capital Caracas.

Many people have reportedly been killed and injured, while others remain trapped or are still missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged and basic services have been disrupted.

According to him, the United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilising assistance and working closely with the Government and our partners to support the response.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is facilitating the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams.

He said the secretary-general welcomed the offers of solidarity and support from Member States at this critical time.

The UN chief also expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the Government of Venezuela has declared a state of emergency, while international support is rapidly mobilising, including incoming Urban Search and Rescue teams from different countries and multiple offers of assistance from across the region and beyond.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, on Wednesday described the situation as an incident with serious consequences.

Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement that the UN and our humanitarian partners had been fully mobilised to support the people of Venezuela.

UN agencies are mobilising assistance and will deliver support as quickly as possible. Our team in country is in close contact with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and relevant national authorities.

A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas, with the UN supporting efforts on the ground to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible.

OCHA is also supporting the coordination of incoming international search-and-rescue teams expected to arrive in the coming hours.

Own its part, UNHCR says that the effects of the earthquake are likely to exacerbate existing protection risks, particularly for returnees, displaced people and communities already facing barriers to services.

These risks include heightened risks of gender-based violence and unsafe or inadequate housing, and reduced access to health care, water, education and livelihoods, among others.