La Guaira (Venezuela).- In the lonely and ruined streets of La Guaira, the epicenter of the devastation from last Wednesday’s double earthquake in Venezuela, rescue and debris removal efforts continue this Thursday while thousands of people camp in shelters and out in the open.
International rescue teams continued with salvage operations after the rescue of Venezuelan Hernán Gil this morning filled those affected with hope, even though the chances of pulling anyone else out alive diminish as the hours pass.
The 43-year-old security guard was rescued after eight days under the rubble of a building following an operation lasting more than 72 hours, in which over 100 international rescuers participated in the coastal development of Playa del Mar.
The 3,000 international rescuers deployed and coordinated by the UN have managed to save 13 people alive in the week of operations on the ground following the earthquakes that have left at least 2,295 dead and 11,267 injured, according to the latest official report.
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The need of the surrounding communities
On the facades of the destroyed houses throughout the state of La Guaira, one can read painted phrases with messages such as: “We are alive,” “Complete family,” or “We are in Caracas,” while the authorities have left marks on the buildings and houses to indicate whether they are habitable or not.
After eight days, the merchant Joel Sojo Sánchez, 57, was in a square in La Guaira today waiting for donations from individuals to take to the most remote communities in the state that suffered less damage, but that also need food and supplies.
The destruction of many of the roads makes access to some towns very complicated.
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“We need help beyond Tanaguarena, Quebrada Seca, Osma, Oritapo, Todasana. In that community itself they were not affected, but people are desperate asking for help because there is no food,” he indicated.
“Thanks to God, to the international aid that has lent us a hand, and to (President Nayib) Bukele. We must have a statue of him here in Venezuela when the state of La Guaira is recovered, because La Guaira is a disaster (..) we didn’t see any resources from the Government,” he said.
The figures of the tragedy
Thousands of people continue to camp out in the open and others cook in the street in front of their damaged homes as citizen aid continues to arrive, especially clothing, which piles up on the ground.
UN agencies have set up three shelters in La Guaira for thousands of people, which a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) told EFE today will remain in operation for an initial phase of one month, but it depends on how the situation develops.
The Government of Venezuela has estimated at 12,841 the number of people who have lost their homes, and the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, promised on Monday that before the end of the year there will be new housing for those who have lost their homes.
For its part, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated that nearly 16,000 people have had to seek an alternative place to live, and this Tuesday it stated that not all of them have succeeded and must remain on the streets.
Venezuelan authorities have not yet updated the figures for the dead and affected this Thursday, although Rodríguez is expected to appear before the media at 19:00 local time (23:00 GMT).
