UN says 6.76M people may be affected by Venezuela quakes

Massive displacement risk

The UN's International Organization for Migration said on Saturday that preliminary estimates indicate up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, including as many as 2 million residents in the capital Caracas alone.

Dual tremors cause widespread damage

According to the US Geological Survey, two earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck the South American nation on Wednesday just 39 seconds apart. The first tremor hit 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the second occurred 23.9 kilometers northeast of San Felipe in the same region, the agency said.

Emergency response underway

IOM said an initial satellite analysis indicates that 31.5% of buildings in Catia La Mar have sustained damage, with early assessments beginning to reveal the full scale of the destruction. "The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows," IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement.

"IOM is scaling up rapidly: Prepositioned relief items are already being deployed, and we are working with the Government and partners to deliver emergency shelter, essential supplies, and protection," she added. "It is already clear that displacement will increase, as people seek safety. A swift response is essential as we deliver life-saving assistance and support the people of Venezuela through the difficult days and months ahead," Pope noted.