Death Toll Nears 2,000 as PAHO Launches US$24 Million Emergency Appeal to Prevent Second Health Crisis in Venezuela

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched an urgent US$24 million emergency appeal as Venezuela battles a worsening humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of two catastrophic earthquakes that have claimed nearly 2,000 lives and left the country’s healthcare system under immense strain.

The funding will support lifesaving medical care, restore damaged health services, prevent disease outbreaks, replenish essential medicines and vaccines, and help rebuild critical health infrastructure during the first six months of recovery.

PAHO estimates that approximately 700,000 people living in the hardest-hit municipalities require immediate assistance, while millions more are facing disrupted access to healthcare due to widespread damage to hospitals, roads, water systems, electricity and telecommunications.

“While search and rescue efforts continue, the health emergency is entering a new phase,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said. “Thousands of injured people require ongoing care, hospitals remain under enormous pressure, and the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing.”

On June 24, two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck north-central Venezuela, triggering one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in decades. As of June 29, official figures indicate that more than 1,943 people have died while over 10,500 others have been injured.

Hospitals remain overwhelmed as they struggle to treat thousands of trauma patients amid shortages of medicines, surgical supplies, laboratory reagents and critical medical equipment.

Health officials are also warning of a growing secondary public health emergency. Damage to healthcare facilities, overcrowded shelters, interrupted vaccination programmes, unsafe water supplies and poor sanitation have significantly increased the risk of communicable disease outbreaks. Mental health concerns among survivors and frontline healthcare workers are also expected to rise in the weeks ahead.

Since the disaster, PAHO has been working alongside Venezuela’s Ministry of Health, Civil Protection authorities, United Nations agencies and Health Cluster partners to coordinate the emergency response.

The organization has activated its Incident Management System and Regional Response Team, deployed emergency health specialists, assessed priority hospitals, coordinated international Emergency Medical Teams and dispatched trauma kits, medicines and emergency equipment from its Strategic Reserve in Panama. Additional vaccines, medicines and laboratory supplies are also being urgently procured.

The emergency appeal will focus on six key priorities: delivering trauma, surgical and critical care; restoring essential health services; supplying medicines, vaccines and medical equipment; preventing disease outbreaks through surveillance, vaccination and sanitation measures; expanding mental health and psychosocial support; and strengthening emergency coordination while supporting Venezuela’s transition to early recovery.

Dr. Barbosa stressed that rapid international support is essential to prevent the crisis from escalating even further.

“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,” he said, calling on governments, development partners, financial institutions, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to support the appeal.

Organizations interested in contributing to the emergency response have been encouraged to contact PAHO directly.

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