UNHCR and MSF report 6,509 dead and 25,200 homes damaged 100 days after Venezuela earthquakes

Housing destruction and casualty figures

One hundred days after twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, humanitarian agencies report extensive destruction and severe ongoing displacement. A joint assessment published by UNHCR and Venezuelan authorities indicates that 6,509 people died as a result of the disaster. Emergency teams rescued 6,462 individuals from the rubble of damaged and collapsed structures across the impacted zones. The assessment confirmed that over 25,200 residential buildings sustained damage, leaving thousands of displaced families without secure accommodation. Both international agencies and local authorities identify the provision of permanent shelter as one of the most urgent priorities facing the country.

Transition from acute trauma to chronic and psychological care

In the affected areas of Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, the focus of relief work moved from initial trauma management toward long-term recovery and mental health. Residents continue to experience intense anxiety driven by the fear of recurring seismic tremors, precarious living conditions, and the disruption of normal livelihoods. Medical personnel report that prolonged displacement and high stress levels have worsened pre-existing chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and epilepsy. Health clinics are receiving large numbers of patients suffering from physical manifestations of distress, including recurring headaches, muscle aches, gastrointestinal problems, and severe sleep disturbances. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical coordinator Milagritos Valderrama described the cumulative health impact observed during consultations.

What we observe today is not only the effect of an isolated traumatic event, but the accumulated impact of living for months in conditions of uncertainty. Many people arrive at my consultation with muscle pain, recurring headaches, gastrointestinal problems or insomnia, symptoms that frequently reflect significant emotional and psychological suffering.

Humanitarian aid delivery in Caracas and La Guaira

Humanitarian teams have maintained active operations across Caracas and La Guaira to address basic survival and healthcare requirements. During the first five days following the disaster, MSF teams provided direct support to local hospitals handling the influx of injured survivors. Over the full 100-day period, the organization distributed 8.5 tons of medical and emergency supplies and delivered nearly 860,000 liters of potable water to affected neighborhoods. Medical staff conducted over 7,000 clinical consultations, while mental health teams delivered psychological assistance to 8,147 individuals experiencing persistent fatigue, anxiety, and distress.

Impact of displacement on survivors

Survivors describe prolonged emotional strain and physical illness resulting from the destruction of their homes and communities. Elvira, a 76-year-old resident, survived a building collapse during the earthquake, falling into the rubble before rescue workers extracted her from the debris under the initial belief that she had died. Following the rescue, she sought psychological care with MSF to manage recurring crying spells, fear, and severe insomnia. Another survivor, Ashley, reported that the loss of her home and ongoing displacement worsened her cardiovascular health and prevented restful sleep.

Look, this has demoralized me. It was a natural disaster, but it has finished off everything, my heart, mind and soul. I suffer from heart trouble and high blood pressure, and I do not sleep.