Venezuela, July 2 (V7N) - Venezuela is facing the threat of a major public health crisis following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, medical experts have warned. According to the latest figures, at least 2,295 people have been killed and more than 11,000 injured. Severe shortages of clean water, poor sanitation, and an already collapsed healthcare system are pushing the humanitarian situation toward a critical point.
Eugenio Cova, head of the Trauma Unit at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital in Caracas, said the country is now entering a new and more dangerous phase of the disaster.
"The next major challenge we are going to face is the spread of infectious diseases, which could rapidly affect survivors who have endured prolonged exposure to these devastating conditions," Cova said.
He added, "We have already passed the initial phase of treating severe traumatic injuries. Now, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated due to infections."
Humanitarian aid workers have also warned that widespread damage to infrastructure could trigger disease outbreaks in the worst-affected communities.
Reporting from a temporary shelter in La Guaira, Al Jazeera correspondent Teresa Bo said there have already been numerous reports of diarrhoea and other infectious illnesses among displaced residents.
"They are urgently requesting portable toilets and government assistance to reorganise the shelter in order to reduce overcrowding and prevent the further spread of disease," Bo reported.
Meanwhile, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) spokesperson Steven McLeod said nearly 900 U.S. military personnel, along with an additional 100 officials from the U.S. Department of State, have been deployed to support relief operations. The U.S. military has repaired the runway at Caracas International Airport and deployed naval vessels along Venezuela's coastline to facilitate humanitarian assistance. The administration of President Donald Trump has also proposed a $300 million aid package to be delivered through humanitarian organisations and the United Nations.
Despite the U.S. assistance offer, aid agencies say the proposed funding falls far short of what is needed. According to satellite analysis by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the twin earthquakes caused more than $6.7 billion in physical damage across Venezuela.
The disaster has further exposed the country's fragile healthcare system, already weakened by years of economic turmoil. Since the economic crisis began under former President Nicolás Maduro in 2013, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country, including nearly one-third of its 60,000 registered physicians. Surveys indicate that public hospitals face a 30% shortage of essential emergency supplies, while more than 70% of operating theatres lack critical equipment and resources.
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