The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has climbed to 3,535, as the nation grapples with the long-term impact of the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors. More than a week later, the situation remains dire, with nearly 18,000 people left homeless and over 16,700 reported injured. As recovery efforts continue in the capital of Caracas and the hard-hit coastal region of La Guaira, authorities have begun the somber task of burying the victims in mass graves. Meanwhile, the government faces intensifying backlash from both its citizens and international humanitarian groups, who argue that the emergency response has been both sluggish and insufficient to meet the overwhelming scale of the disaster.

Beyond the immediate loss of life, health experts are raising alarms regarding the precarious conditions inside the 80 temporary shelters housing more than 12,800 survivors. Dr. Mauricio Cerpa Calderon of the Pan American Health Organisation warned that overcrowding, poor sanitation, and restricted access to clean water have created a breeding ground for respiratory infections, skin diseases, and vaccine-preventable illnesses. While the government has deployed security forces and pledged to form a new emergency military unit, international bodies like the UN and WHO are stepping in to provide essential medical supplies and technical support to help manage the growing public health crisis and the influx of casualties.