Earthquakes in Venezuela leave 3,811 dead and trigger rise in chronic illness and diarrhea

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela last month, killing 3,811 people and damaging or destroying more than 1,000 buildings. Victims and residents who were not directly affected have been seeking care at mobile clinics and field hospitals set up by nongovernmental organizations in the northern state of La Guaira.

Doctors in the Catia La Mar community reported higher numbers of skin conditions and diarrheal diseases on Thursday. They also recorded more requests for medications to treat diabetes and high blood pressure.

The United Nations launched an appeal for roughly $300 million to assist 1.3 million people in need. The U.N. relief chief said many patients are arriving with longer-term health needs after two weeks in displacement sites. Crowded living conditions and poor water and sanitation, which existed before the earthquakes, have been linked to the emerging illnesses.

About 18,000 people remain without homes and are staying in schools, parks, and other public spaces.

The United States has provided most of the earthquake-response aid, according to the head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Local groups partnered with international organizations are delivering much of the on-site assistance.

One displaced resident sought treatment for chest pain after losing her job as a nanny. She was diagnosed with an inflamed nerve and given medication. Direct physical damage to housing and infrastructure is estimated at $37 billion by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.