The death toll from the twin earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 4,000 in 11 days as regional health agencies issue warnings of an increased risk of disease spread due to trapped corpses.
Lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said at least 4,118 people have been killed while over 18,000 people have been injured and 17,907 displaced.
On Friday, a 3.0 magnitude tremor in central Caracas caused momentary panic and led to buildings being evacuated.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said people displaced across various parts of Venezuela’s northern coast — the area most affected by the tremors — face a serious risk of disease because of limited access to life-supporting resources, including healthcare and sanitation.
Director of PAHO Jarbas Barbosa said, “In the coming weeks, the greatest health risks may stem not only from injuries caused by the earthquakes but also from disruptions to health services, overcrowded conditions, deficiencies in water and sanitation and reduced access to vaccination and routine healthcare.”
The agency is working with the government and health ministry to improve vaccine access and trace any outbreaks of respiratory or digestive diseases, especially among people living in makeshift shelters.
The United Nations launched an appeal for roughly $300 million to assist 1.3 million people in urgent need of aid in Venezuela.
The organisation has requested the immediate release of the pending $15 million to repair the country’s essential infrastructure, including damaged hospitals, and to maintain basic sanitation in camps for the displaced to prevent a health emergency.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez has urged for the release of frozen assets held abroad to be used towards the recovery.
King Charles III is expected to decide on releasing about 30 tonnes of Venezuelan gold frozen under UK sanctions in the coming days.
Also read: Venezuela death toll tops 3,900 as rescue operations continue
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