Venezuela quake: key services crippled and health workers missing

Six days after powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck central-northern Venezuela, "food shortages are widespread" in La Guaira, the hardest-hit state, said UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

"Basic services have broken down and connectivity has been largely severed", while community tensions are rising as access to assistance is constrained, added spokesperson Carlotta Wolf.

And in the aftermath of the massive disaster "there is panic…people want to have access to aid as soon as possible", she continued.

Sub-standard shelters

A rapid needs assessment conducted by UNHCR at the end of last week across La Guaira, the Capital District, Miranda, Aragua and Carabobo states showed that half of those surveyed were staying with neighbors or relatives after the disaster, while almost four in 10 "are living in streets and public spaces, and others in churches, schools, or improvised facilities", Ms. Wolf said.

"These improvised shelters do not meet the minimum protection standards… for privacy, safe spaces and basic levels of hygiene and comfort," she insisted.

The UNHCR spokesperson also expressed concern about the presence of unaccompanied and separated children highlighted by the survey.

As of Monday, Venezuelan authorities confirmed 1,719 fatalities, at least 5,034 people injured and 15,866 people affected or displaced, UNHCR said.

'Chaotic service delivery'

"Health services are under extreme pressure now," said Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the UN World Health Organization (WHO), as a surge in trauma cases exceeds the capacity of health facilities.

WHO-verified data from Saturday for 21 health facilities across Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda and Falcón indicates that three are "in critical condition", six have structural damage or are partly functional, while the remainder "remain operational under significant strain", Mr. Lindmeier said.

He warned of "chaotic service delivery" and patient flows, marked by overcrowding, growing surgical backlogs… [a] breakdown in biosafety measures and severely stressed staff."

The WHO spokesperson also highlighted "critical gaps" in healthcare provision, including the collapse of forensic and morgue services, as well as inadequate casualty registration and tracking of missing persons.

Health risks multiply

"There's an increased risk now of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, pertussis, as well as yellow fever and other vector and waterborne diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, oropouche and malaria," he warned.

The WHO spokesperson also pointed to an "elevated health risk" for the displaced, owing to low vaccination coverage pre-earthquake, and limited access to vaccines now.

Mr. Lindmeier further explained that several healthcare workers in La Guaira remain missing, including those responsible "for the entire maternal care pathway in the area", which has created a critical gap in obstetric care.