UN seeks $296 million for Venezuela quake relief as death toll tops 3,600

The United Nations on Wednesday launched an urgent appeal for $296 million to fund relief operations in Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes claimed more than 3,600 lives and left thousands homeless and missing.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the funding would provide emergency assistance to 1.3 million people over the next six months, praising donors who had already begun contributing to the response.

The appeal comes after one of Latin America’s deadliest earthquake disasters, with badly hit La Guaira still witnessing desperate families searching through rubble for the bodies of loved ones.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil also urged countries holding frozen Venezuelan state assets to release them to support reconstruction efforts, citing gold held by Britain and funds blocked by the United States under previous sanctions.

The US has already eased several economic sanctions for four months to facilitate humanitarian operations. Relations between Washington and Caracas have improved since the change in Venezuela’s leadership earlier this year, with the Trump administration gradually relaxing restrictions, particularly to support development of the country’s oil sector.

Even before the June 24 earthquakes, Venezuela was grappling with years of economic hardship that had weakened its infrastructure and healthcare system. The UN estimates the disaster caused $6.7 billion in damage—around 6% of the country’s GDP—while Caracas’ main international airport remains closed due to quake damage.

Rescue phase ends, recovery continues

Two weeks after the twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, international rescue teams have largely ended search-and-rescue operations as hopes of finding more survivors fade.

Authorities say 3,685 people have died, nearly 17,000 have been injured, and about 18,000 people have been left homeless after residential buildings collapsed across La Guaira.

In the devastated Caraballeda district, families continue relying on aid while searching for food, water and missing relatives. Some residents remain hopeful after isolated rescues, but most recovery efforts are now focused on retrieving bodies from the ruins.

Heavy machinery continues clearing debris from collapsed apartment complexes, where relatives maintain vigils waiting for the recovery of loved ones. “Now all that’s left is body recovery,” one soldier said.