“WHO evaluates sending medical supplies to Venezuela after the earthquakes”

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A double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 left at least 188 dead and 1,520 injured in Venezuela, according to the most recent official reports. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are analyzing the deployment of medical resources, emergency teams, and supplies to support the health response to the crisis derived from the disaster.

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Collapsed hospitals, power outages, and hundreds of people trapped under rubble make up the emergency scenario that Venezuelan authorities and international organizations are facing.

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The magnitude of the disaster demanded a coordinated reaction. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated on X: “My deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the deadly earthquakes in Venezuela. Health needs are increasing as the response evolves, including mass casualty management, injury and trauma care, and support for health facilities affected by power outages.” In other words, local medical capacity is overwhelmed and specialized teams are required to respond to the emergency.

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The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

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The PAHO, the regional arm of the WHO, could mobilize response teams and maintains close contact with Venezuelan emergency officials. The goal is to support the immediate care of the injured and ensure the basic functioning of the health system. Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO, reported on X that regional personnel: “Are on the ground, ready to help maintain the functioning of the health system.”

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A healthcare system at its limit

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Before the catastrophe, Venezuela was already facing a fragile health context, with nearly eight million people in need of humanitarian assistance. After the earthquakes, the situation reached a new level of severity. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the catastrophe “threatens to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities”.

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The collapse of hospitals and the interruption of basic services complicated the care of the wounded. The priorities are victim management, trauma care, and the restoration of essential services in health centers. The PAHO indicated that it remains in “close contact” with local emergency teams to “mitigate disruptions to health services” and provide medical supplies.

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Mass casualty management, injury care, and support for health centers are the immediate priorities following the disaster EFE/ Ronald Pena R.

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The call from the WHO and the PAHO joins an unprecedented international mobilization. The UN is “fully mobilized” and is coordinating the deployment of search and rescue teams from multiple countries to support Venezuelan authorities in locating survivors and caring for the injured. Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian coordinator, stressed that “the coming days will require a huge collective effort to support the Government-led response and help the affected communities.”

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The coordination includes the arrival of medical personnel, rescuers, and technical aid, as well as the release of funds for emergency supplies. The WHO specified that the health response prioritizes the management of large numbers of injured people and support for hospitals affected by power outages.

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Emergency crews are searching for victims this Wednesday, following two strong earthquakes that shook the Venezuelan Caribbean in Caracas.

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According to official reports, the earthquakes have left at least 188 dead and nearly 1,520 injured, figures subject to update as rescue efforts progress. PAHO and WHO are focusing on the provision of medical supplies, the mobilization of additional personnel, and technical assistance for the recovery of the health system.

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The international deployment also contemplates the collaboration of humanitarian organizations and the activation of rapid response mechanisms. OCHA confirmed the dispatch of a response team to reinforce the presence on the ground and ensure effective coordination among the different aid actors.

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