The UN warns that the “critical period” for rescuing survivors after earthquakes is “reduced”
The United Nations has highlighted that international search and rescue operations are “fully mobilized” to support efforts after last week’s earthquakes in Venezuela, although it has recognized that “the possibilities of rescuing survivors are being reduced, about a week after the earthquakes, which left more than 1,700 dead.
“International search and rescue operations are fully mobilized, with more than 70 search and rescue and other specialized teams, and more than 2,300 personnel working closely with national authorities,” said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “Several people have been rescued alive from the rubble, although the number of deaths continues to increase and many remain missing,” the organization lamented, before pointing out that “the critical period to achieve the rescue of people who are still alive is being reduced.”
Thus, he stressed that, despite this, “humanitarian partners are expanding emergency aid in terms of health, shelter, water and sanitation, and logistics, including in La Guaira and other affected municipalities,” while insisting that “the UN and other humanitarian partners are rapidly increasing life-saving assistance to survivors.”
OCHA has also recalled the emergency appeal for “public donations” to finance the response, a plan managed by the agency’s office in the capital, Caracas, which allocates the money to the Humanitarian Fund for Venezuela with the aim of “providing vital aid, medical care, food and emergency shelter through trusted local partners.”
In this context, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has pointed out that “the scenes of devastation in Venezuela are truly heartbreaking.” “I express my most sincere solidarity with all those affected and with the Venezuelan people,” he stated in a message published on social networks.
“Given the rapid evolution of needs, access to urgent humanitarian assistance will be essential,” he stressed. “The United Nations system is stepping up life-saving assistance together with our partners and the Government, and will spare no effort to support those who need it,” he promised. (EP)
