The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a US$24 million emergency appeal to fund the first six months of health response and early recovery efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
The funds will support the delivery of lifesaving health services, restore essential healthcare, strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak prevention, ensure continued access to essential medicines and vaccines, and rebuild the operational capacity of the health system in the hardest-hit areas.
The appeal targets support for approximately 700,000 people living in the most severely affected municipalities, while also strengthening referral hospitals and health services that serve millions more whose access to care has been disrupted.
"While search and rescue efforts continue, the health emergency is entering a new phase," said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. "Thousands of injured people require ongoing care, hospitals remain under enormous pressure, and the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing. This appeal will help save lives today while supporting the recovery of essential health services for the months ahead."
Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, triggering one of the country's most devastating natural disasters in decades. Official reports indicate that as of June 29, more than 1,943 people have died and over 10,500 have been injured. The earthquakes struck densely populated urban areas already facing significant humanitarian challenges, severely damaging health facilities and critical infrastructure, including electricity, water, transport and telecommunications networks.
Hospitals continue to operate well beyond capacity as they manage large numbers of trauma patients. Shortages of medicines, surgical supplies, laboratory reagents and critical medical equipment are threatening the continuity of lifesaving services.
Health risks are expected to grow in the coming weeks. Damage to health facilities, population displacement, overcrowded shelters, disruptions to vaccination services, and breakdowns in water and sanitation systems raise the likelihood of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable and other communicable diseases. The psychological toll on affected communities and health workers continues to mount as well.
Since the earthquakes, PAHO has been working closely with Venezuela's Ministry of Health, Civil Protection, United Nations partners and Health Cluster members to coordinate the health response. The organization has activated its Incident Management System and Regional Response Team, deployed emergency specialists, conducted rapid assessments of priority hospitals, and coordinated the deployment of international Emergency Medical Teams.
PAHO has also mobilized supplies from its Strategic Reserve in Panama, including trauma kits, medicines and emergency equipment, while supporting the urgent procurement of additional vaccines, medicines, laboratory supplies and other critical health commodities.
"Investing in health now will not only help save lives but also prevent secondary public health emergencies that could prolong the humanitarian impact of this disaster," Dr. Barbosa said. "We call on governments, development partners, international financial institutions, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to support this appeal and stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela."
Organizations wishing to contribute to the appeal may contact PAHO at [email protected] or [email protected].
