The Daily Journal. — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences Thursday to the people and government of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country’s central region the previous day. The U.N. chief also confirmed that the organization’s humanitarian teams have already begun coordinating relief efforts directly with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
“The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by yesterday’s devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those who suffered injuries a swift recovery,” Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said during his daily press briefing at U.N. headquarters in New York.
The United Nations reported that the disaster has severely damaged strategic infrastructure and residential areas, leaving multiple regions of the country—including its largest urban centers—in critical condition.
“Initial reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. According to available information, the disaster has claimed numerous lives and left many others injured, while additional people remain trapped or missing. Essential infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, and basic services have stopped operating,” Dujarric said.
In response to the emergency, Dujarric added that the U.N. humanitarian team remains in “close contact” with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant Venezuelan authorities.
As an initial operational measure, the United Nations established a command and coordination center in Caracas to support field operations and ensure that emergency supplies and medical assistance reach the most vulnerable communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that it has fully mobilized its resources to respond to the disaster. The agency also confirmed that it has begun arranging the immediate deployment of specialized urban search-and-rescue teams from across the international community.
U.N. officials also expressed concern about the socioeconomic conditions surrounding the disaster. U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Tom Fletcher noted that nearly eight million Venezuelans already required humanitarian assistance before the earthquakes. He warned that this new catastrophe “threatens to deepen the vulnerabilities that already affect the population.”
