Venezuela focuses on the search for bodies as two weeks pass since the earthquake

The search for bodies and the removal of debris continues this Wednesday in Venezuela, as two weeks have passed since the earthquake that has left at least 3,685 dead and 16,740 injured, according to the latest government report.

Today also marks the end of the national mourning period decreed seven days ago by the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, in honor of the victims of the double earthquake of last June 24th, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

Meanwhile, a vigil is scheduled for this Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT) at El Cónsul square in La Guaira, the state most devastated by the earthquakes, which is gradually resuming its activities with the reopening of some small businesses.

Read more: Death toll from earthquakes in Venezuela rises to 3,685

In this coastal state, the disaster generated approximately 1.2 million tons of debris in the most affected areas, according to a preliminary assessment on June 29 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Of this total, approximately 915,000 tons correspond to damaged buildings, while 332,000 tons come from household items and people’s belongings, the UNDP added.

The highest volumes are concentrated in the areas of Catia La Mar, Caraballeda, and Urimare, which identifies them as “priority areas for debris management efforts,” according to said sources.

Several international organizations remain in La Guaira, and in the last few hours, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Tom Fletcher, arrived in the country.

Fletcher, who met on Tuesday with Delcy Rodríguez to coordinate the response to the consequences of the earthquakes, will speak this Wednesday from Caracas at a virtual ministerial-level briefing on the humanitarian response to the tragedy, the next steps, and what UN member states can do to help.

According to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Fletcher’s visit will last four days, during which she plans to meet with survivors and frontline staff who have provided assistance, as well as with senior government officials and people collaborating in search and rescue efforts.

A total of 14,634 people are being housed in 87 transitional camps that were temporarily set up by the Government of Venezuela, Minister of Education Héctor Rodríguez reported on Tuesday.