A devastating sequence of back-to-back earthquakes that hit Venezuela last Wednesday has triggered a large-scale humanitarian emergency, with early assessments from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) projecting that up to 6.76 million people across the country will be impacted by the disaster. The human toll of the tremors is particularly acute in the capital, Caracas, where an estimated 2 million residents have been affected by the damage and disruption.
In a collaborative analysis combining geospatial data and artificial intelligence, the Microsoft AI for Good Lab and IOM used satellite mapping to assess infrastructure damage. Their initial findings reveal that more than 30 percent of all structures in the coastal city of Catia La Mar have sustained damage, underscoring the widespread destruction of the seismic event. As displaced families flee damaged and unsafe areas to seek refuge, IOM warns that internal displacement will continue to climb in the coming days, and has issued an urgent call for coordinated international support to address the growing crisis.
“IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the critical importance of the immediate post-disaster window, noting, ‘The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows.’ The organization has already begun moving quickly to expand its on-the-ground response: pre-positioned emergency relief stocks are being deployed to affected areas, and IOM is working alongside the Venezuelan government and local humanitarian partners to deliver emergency shelter, life-sustaining supplies, and protection services for vulnerable populations.
In a show of regional solidarity, Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño announced on Friday that the Central American nation is ready and willing to contribute to Venezuela’s post-disaster recovery efforts. Briceño shared in an online public statement that he held a direct conversation with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez immediately in the wake of the earthquakes to extend condolences and offers of support. ‘I assured her that Belize stands with the Venezuelan people and is ready to assist, including deploying Belizean linesmen to help restore electricity,’ Briceño stated.
Beyond disaster relief, the IOM has outlined the most pressing unmet needs for displaced and affected communities: emergency temporary housing, clean drinking water, functional sanitation infrastructure, access to acute healthcare, targeted protection services for vulnerable groups, and basic essential supplies.
In a reassuring update, Belize’s Ministry of Education confirmed that all Belizean students enrolled in academic programs in Venezuela have been located and confirmed to be unharmed. No physical injuries have been reported among the group, according to officials. Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation through the country’s diplomatic mission in Caracas. Oscar Arnold, Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Education, explained that Belize’s Ambassador to Venezuela Annie Lou Burns personally reached out to every Belizean student in the country immediately after the earthquakes to confirm their safety. Arnold added that the ambassador had previously conducted emergency preparedness drills with the student community, where students were instructed to maintain pre-packed emergency go-bags with essential supplies in case of a natural disaster – preparation that likely helped them stay safe in the immediate aftermath of the tremors.