For many young children in La Guaira, life has taken a harsh turn. Sleeping under makeshift tents, washing with cold water in the streets, and playing with a ball amidst debris has become the new norm for those displaced by the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
A report by Noticias Telemundo from a camp in La Guaira highlights the dire conditions faced by these young ones after the disaster. As of this Thursday, the tragedy has claimed 2,645 lives, injured 12,666, and left 6,462 people rescued alive.
Childhood in Crisis
Nine-year-old José Luis Díaz Vega González, when asked by a reporter about his daily life, responds with simple affirmations: sleeping here? Yes. Eating? Yes. Bathing? Yes. Playing? Yes. When inquired about what games he plays with his friends, he simply states: "With a ball."
Joshua, merely four years old, struggles to articulate the loss of his home: "I didn't see my house. I just saw a house like this, kind of sideways," he remarks. As the earthquake struck, his mother instructed him to take cover under a table and pray.
Survival Amidst Devastation
Another child in the camp recalls the precise moment of the quake: "I was with a friend, we were going to buy something, and suddenly everything started shaking, and all the buildings fell." Despite the trauma, these children exhibit a surprising level of resilience in the face of such a massive disaster.
One child echoes his parents' advice: "Behave well, listen, and we'll get through this with their help." Another simply states, "The good thing is we're okay."
But the reality behind those words is grim. On Thursday, the Venezuelan government raised the official death toll to 2,645, while the UN estimates up to 50,000 missing. The United States Geological Survey predicts with a 42% probability that the final death toll could be between 10,000 and 100,000.
The Extent of the Damage
In La Guaira, the worst-hit state, more than 250 buildings have collapsed. In Catia La Mar, 158 out of 189 structures were completely destroyed. The José María Vargas Hospital was demolished, and the Maiquetía International Airport had to be closed. The material damage is estimated at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
Currently, 15,050 individuals are homeless, with 14 temporary camps set up in La Guaira. UNICEF is actively working to ensure child protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene in these camps.
The Criollitos de Venezuela organization reported that at least 100 children have died due to the earthquakes. UNICEF estimates that 680,000 minors in the six affected states urgently need humanitarian aid, in a country where nearly four million children already required assistance before the disaster, with only 35% of their needs being met.
The World Food Program has reached 2,000 people with ready-to-eat meals and operates a community kitchen at the Playa Grande stadium. Since the main quakes, over 130 aftershocks have been recorded, including one measuring 4.6 magnitude this Thursday.
The June 24 earthquakes are considered the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900. The regime of Nicolás Maduro restricted access to La Guaira from June 26, raising skepticism about the credibility of the official figures compared to international estimates.
The Impact of Venezuelan Earthquakes
How have the June 24 earthquakes affected La Guaira?
La Guaira has been severely affected, with over 250 buildings collapsing. Many residents, including children, are living in temporary camps, facing harsh conditions.
What is the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The material damage is estimated at $6.7 billion, with significant destruction in infrastructure, including hospitals and airports, affecting the country's GDP significantly.
What are the international estimates for the death toll?
The UN estimates up to 50,000 people missing, while the US Geological Survey predicts a 42% chance that the death toll could be between 10,000 and 100,000.