Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela a week ago, countless families in Maiquetía and Caracas remain without shelter, lacking basic necessities like clean water and mattresses. Despite the dire circumstances, authorities have yet to assess the damage to their homes.
Reports gathered on Wednesday by the opposition group Vente Venezuela reveal a stark neglect that victims describe as complete abandonment.
"We're sleeping on the streets because we're scared something might happen again. We have children with us, and we don't even have mattresses. We're exposed to the elements, using whatever sheets we have. No one has acknowledged our situation," recounted a resident from the El Rincón neighborhood in Maiquetía, La Guaira.
In the temporary camp at Quebrada Honda in Caracas, around 200 families face the same urgent needs. "Right now, what we desperately need are water and mattresses," stated one of the affected individuals at the camp.
Andrea Navarro, from the Piedra Azul neighborhood in Maiquetía, expressed frustration that no officials have visited to assess the structural damages to streets and homes.
"No one has come to inspect anything. I haven't seen any inspections here, nothing at all," she said. Navarro also pointed out how residents have had to fend for themselves to obtain food and medicine.
In San Bernardino, resident Larisa Colmenares described witnessing the collapse of the iconic Rita Building during the earthquake on Wednesday, June 24.
"We came to help on Los Próceres Avenue when we saw one of our beloved buildings, the Rita Building, where we had neighbors, collapse. It was heartbreaking," she recounted.
Colmenares noted that institutional aid took two days to arrive: "The earthquake was on Wednesday, and the local government showed up on Friday." During this period, the rescue efforts were primarily supported by neighbors and volunteers from the Andrés Bello Catholic University.
Adding to the material damage is a growing threat of insecurity. With numerous buildings vacated and no nighttime patrols, Colmenares reported that outsiders are entering the empty structures.
"We're afraid and have received reports of displaced people or unsavory individuals entering the unoccupied buildings," she warned, further demanding, "We need help; we're making a public plea and will request police support at night."
This abandonment stands in stark contrast to the regime's show of force: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez deployed 14,000 military and police personnel after declaring a National State of Emergency on June 24. However, NGO Provea criticized that this presence focused on maintaining order rather than providing essential services.
"We haven't seen any state efforts to provide food or potable water," the organization stated, as documented in a complaint on Wednesday.
As of June 30, official figures report 1,943 fatalities, over 10,571 injuries, and nearly 15,866 displaced individuals, while the UN estimates around 50,000 people missing.
More than 63,000 structures have been damaged nationwide, with 434 completely collapsed and 750 suffering severe structural damage, marking the most significant natural disaster in Venezuela's recent history.
Vente Venezuela is urgently appealing to civil donor networks to supply potable water and mattresses to the temporary camps, emphasizing what they describe as a complete lack of state response.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Earthquakes
What are the immediate needs of Venezuelans affected by the earthquakes?
The immediate needs include potable water and mattresses, as many families are sleeping outdoors without proper shelter or resources.
How are residents coping with the aftermath of the earthquakes?
Residents are relying on themselves to find food and medicine, as there has been little to no government assistance in assessing damages or providing necessities.
What measures has the Venezuelan government taken following the earthquakes?
The government declared a National State of Emergency and deployed military and police forces, though these efforts have been criticized as focusing more on maintaining order than on delivering essential services.