Earthquakes kill 3,535 in Venezuela, damage three hospitals

The June 24 earthquakes killed at least 3,535 people and injured 16,700 others across Venezuela. Three hospitals sustained critical structural damage and stopped providing services, the World Health Organization said. Several additional hospitals lost partial function after staff members were among the victims.

With 18,000 people now homeless, health workers report rising cases of diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin diseases, dehydration, asthma attacks, and sunburn among displaced residents. Doctors also cite risks of measles and other communicable-disease outbreaks in crowded shelters.

Aid deliveries and field clinics International groups have sent doctors and supplies. Samaritan's Purse opened a 56-bed field hospital with intensive-care units and operating theaters. Project Hope established a mobile clinic offering primary care and ultrasounds for pregnant women at one shelter.

The World Health Organization delivered six metric tons of medical supplies, including trauma kits and protective equipment, with another 28 tons en route from Dubai. Chile and Brazil donated vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and yellow fever. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies dispatched 36 tons of hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, and water filters.

Pre-existing shortages compound crisis Even before the earthquakes, many hospitals faced shortages of up to 37 percent of essential medicines, according to the WHO incident manager. Venezuela's economic collapse had already reduced vaccination rates and increased cases of measles, diphtheria, and malaria.

Roughly one-third of the country's doctors emigrated, the Venezuelan Medical Federation reported. Luz Noguera, 36, lost access to her asthma medication when the first quake struck while she was at home. She and her family spent two weeks in an informal encampment.