Venezuelans Desperate in the Struggle for Food and Shelter
- Half a million people have lost their homes and are in shelters; the UN will stand by them.
Venezuela devastated by earthquake; rescue operations underway. Photo: Collected.
The impact of an earthquake lasts only a few moments. But its scars must be borne for a long time. Collapsed houses, shattered communities, the cries of those who have lost loved ones, and a future filled with uncertainty – this is the reality now visible across vast areas of Venezuela. Half a million people have been left homeless after losing their houses. These helpless, destitute people are becoming desperate in the struggle for a single meal and a place to rest their heads. At just such a moment, the United Nations has announced a major initiative to stand by their side.
On Tuesday, the UN's World Food Programme announced that it has prepared humanitarian aid for approximately five hundred thousand people living in shelters affected by the earthquake in Venezuela.
Following the devastating earthquake on June 24th, the World Food Programme (WFP) has already activated a special emergency response plan to manage the crisis. Stefanie Hochstetter, the WFP's Country Director for Venezuela, stated in a virtual global press conference that emergency nutrition assistance packages have started to be distributed. Simultaneously, an appeal has been made to the international community for $50 million in financial aid to manage relief supply operations over the coming months.
However, Hochstetter cautioned that even this amount will not be sufficient to address the full extent of the disaster's impact. She noted that the scale of the widespread destruction, particularly in the country's northern coastal regions, is so immense that the scope of necessary assistance is much broader.
The WFP's initial aid has already directly reached approximately 1,200 of the most vulnerable people. But the organization expects this number to rise rapidly in the coming days. Currently, they have 3,000 metric tons of food in stock, prepared for emergency distribution to various regions of the country. It has been reported that this food supply can meet the minimum dietary needs of more than 10,000 families for two consecutive months.
The highest priority is being given to the La Guaira region. According to coordinated official government estimates, this area is the epicenter of the earthquake and the most affected zone. According to the latest official data, the earthquake has resulted in at least 1,943 deaths and injured more than 10,500 people.
The UN is following two distinct approaches in its relief operations. On one hand, ready-to-eat meals are being delivered directly to overcrowded shelters. On the other, food and other emergency supplies are being provided to families who, while remaining in their own homes, are unable to purchase necessary items from the market due to economic or physical limitations.
Hochstetter said that the need for food, clean drinking water, shelter, and basic services is now extremely urgent. She noted that many families were already struggling with poverty and food crises prior to this. The earthquake has destroyed their sources of livelihood, severely damaged infrastructure, and pushed many into even deeper crises.
To accelerate relief delivery, the World Food Programme is also procuring goods directly from local markets. This allows for faster delivery of food to affected areas while simultaneously reducing the additional strain on transport systems. Additionally, close coordination is being maintained with emergency food reserves stored in neighboring Colombia, so that additional aid can be dispatched quickly if the situation deteriorates further.
The UN has expressed particular concern over the situation in remote rural and coastal areas. The agency fears that the full extent of the damage in geographically inaccessible areas has not yet come to light. Specifically, many areas affected by the simultaneous earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 have long suffered from shortages of roads and health services. This means the situation there could become even more dire.
Hochstetter informed that the center in La Guaira, from which assessments and relief coordination are being conducted, was established at the specific request of the administration of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. She added that close coordination is being maintained between various Venezuelan government ministries and the UN to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the affected people quickly and safely.
It will take time to clear the rubble. Rebuilding homes will also require a long journey. But before this lengthy reconstruction, the most urgent fight is the struggle for survival. And in this fight, the UN has pledged to stand by millions of people. Even amidst the ashes of shattered lives, a glimmer of hope still remains.
(Report: Agencies)
