UN Secretary General António Guterres has voiced his support for Venezuela following the twin earthquakes that devastated the country.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stated this on Thursday at UN headquarters in New York, when updating journalists on the global organization’s assistance to the country.
At least 188 people have been killed and 971 injured after severe tremors struck northern districts late Wednesday, less than a minute apart.
However, it is unclear how serious the situation is in the worst-hit state of La Guaira.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the initial earthquake had a Richter scale magnitude of 7.2.
Its epicenter occurred near the city of San Felipe, which is home to approximately 220,000 people. The second quake had a magnitude of 7.5 and was apparently the largest seismic event to hit the country in almost 125 years.
Dujarric said Guterres expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Initial reports show widespread destruction in multiple states, including the capital Caracas.
Many individuals have reportedly been killed or injured, while others are still trapped or missing. Critical infrastructure has been damaged, and essential services have been affected.
According to him, the United Nations in Venezuela, including the Humanitarian Country Team, is mobilizing resources and collaborating with the government and partners to help the response.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is assisting the deployment of urban search and rescue teams.
He stated that the secretary-general appreciated the offers of solidarity and support from Member States during this vital time.
The UN secretary-general also expresses support for the Venezuelan people and government.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s government has declared a state of emergency, and foreign support is fast mobilizing, including inbound urban search and rescue teams from several nations, as well as numerous offers of assistance from throughout the region and beyond.
On Wednesday, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described the incident as having serious ramifications.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, stated in a statement that the UN and our humanitarian partners have fully mobilized to assist the Venezuelan people.
UN agencies are mobilizing aid and will respond as soon as feasible. Our team in the country is in continuous communication with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and relevant national authorities.
A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas, with the UN assisting efforts on the ground to ensure that aid reaches people in most need as fast and effectively as possible.
OCHA is also assisting with the coordination of incoming foreign search and rescue teams, which are anticipated to arrive within the next several hours.
According to UNHCR, the earthquake’s impacts are expected to worsen existing protection threats, notably for returnees, displaced people, and communities that already face service constraints.
These dangers include increased risk of gender-based violence, hazardous or inadequate housing, and limited access to health care, water, education, and livelihoods, among other things.
