Government sets up 25 relief camps as over 12,000 are injured and aftershocks continue to rattle the country….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has climbed to 2,595, with more than 12,000 people injured, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced on Thursday, as rescue and relief operations continued across the affected regions.
Rodriguez said the twin earthquakes also destroyed 189 buildings, leaving thousands displaced and in urgent need of shelter.
As head of the national command centre overseeing temporary relief camps, Rodriguez urged healthcare workers, security personnel and firefighters to register on the Patria platform to strengthen efforts to address the housing crisis triggered by the disaster.
She said 25 temporary camps have been set up nationwide, including 13 in La Guaira, eight in Caracas, two in Miranda, one in Carabobo and one in Yaracuy. Authorities are working swiftly to equip the camps and relocate affected residents.
Since the powerful quakes struck on June 24, Venezuela has recorded 782 aftershocks, although their frequency and intensity have gradually declined, Rodriguez said.
The Acting President also declared seven days of national mourning in memory of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
“In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days, starting at 6:00 p.m. today,” Rodriguez wrote in a statement posted on social media on Wednesday (local time).
“In these moments of profound sadness, we embrace those who suffer from this tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to accompany and protect them,” she said, adding that “Venezuela’s soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes.”
Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.5 and 7.2 struck north of Caracas on June 24, causing widespread devastation across several regions. Authorities have also warned that tens of thousands of people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
India’s Operation Amistad wins hearts
India’s humanitarian relief mission, Operation Amistad, continues to earn widespread praise in Venezuela, with locals commending the professionalism and quality of medical services being provided by the Indian team in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country last month.
The Embassy of India in Venezuela highlighted the public appreciation in a post on X, stating that the humanitarian initiative has received widespread recognition from Venezuelans for its professionalism and quality of service.
India launched Operation Amistad after twin earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 struck Venezuela on June 24, killing thousands and causing widespread devastation across several regions.
The humanitarian assistance reached Venezuela on June 28, comprising a specialised Indian Army Field Hospital Unit along with relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment to support ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Announcing the arrival of the aid, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had said that the deployment would strengthen post-earthquake relief operations and provide much-needed medical assistance to affected communities.
The Indian Army has since established a field hospital in the earthquake-hit areas, where doctors and medical personnel have been providing treatment to survivors.
On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared photographs and videos on X showing Venezuelans receiving treatment at the Indian field hospital and expressing gratitude for the assistance.
One local resident from La Guaira state described the medical care as “excellent” while speaking about a woman who sustained serious injuries during the earthquake.
“We are from La Guaira state, from Playa Grande. She has a double fibula fracture, and they are going to operate on her tonight,” the resident said.
When asked whether the injury was caused by the earthquake, she replied, “Yes, during the earthquake. We just arrived and have received immediate care. The whole service until now has been excellent.”
Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities said the death toll from the June 24 earthquakes has risen to 2,295, with 11,267 people injured, as relief and rescue operations continue across the affected regions.
