Two devastating earthquakes have struck Venezuela, leaving thousands of families in a situation of extreme vulnerability.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a preliminary 7.2 magnitude tremor was followed just seconds later by a main shock measuring 7.5 magnitude. This phenomenon is known as a “seismic doublet”, with its epicenter located in the municipality of Montalbán, in the state of Carabobo, at a shallow depth of approximately 13 kilometers. The earthquake was strongly felt in Caracas, La Guaira, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, Yaracuy and Falcón, and was also felt in Colombia and several Caribbean islands.
The earthquakes have left hundreds of people dead and injured, although the full extent of the impact is still unknown. The number of victims and affected people is expected to rise in the coming hours as rescue teams continue their work. In addition, critical infrastructure, buildings and hospitals have suffered severe damage.
In response to this emergency, seven NGOs from the Comité de Emergencia Español are already prepared to address the most urgent needs: Aldeas Infantiles SOS, Acción contra el Hambre, Educo, Entreculturas, Médicos del Mundo, Plan International and World Vision. Their efforts are focused on key areas such as shelter, food assistance, water and sanitation, and healthcare support.
