Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 3,535, Nearly 20,000 Homeless

CARACAS (CNA) - Nearly two weeks after devastating twin earthquakes struck Venezuela's capital and nearby coastal areas, authorities announced today that the death toll has climbed to 3,535, with nearly 18,000 people still homeless. Experts are calling for disease prevention measures in shelters.

According to Reuters, National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez stated that following the successive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24, the latest official figures show 16,740 injured and 17,854 homeless.

The new disaster statistics highlight the severity of the damage in the capital, Caracas, and the heavily affected coastal state of La Guaira, as criticism of the government's response grows.

Venezuelan officials reported that at least 12,800 people are currently staying in 80 shelters in Caracas and La Guaira. Dr. Mauricio Cerpa Calderon, an advisor at the Pan American Health Organization's emergency operations center in Washington, warned that health risks in these temporary shelters are escalating.

Cerpa told Reuters, "Temporary shelters or camps are often set up after earthquakes, and they are frequently accompanied by health risks such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, lack of continuous access to safe drinking water, water and sanitation problems, and improper food and waste management."

Cerpa stated that top priorities should include respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin diseases, wound infections, dengue fever, and vaccine-preventable diseases such as tetanus, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio. (Intern translation: Luo Yi-en / Editor: Chen Yi-wei) 1150707

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