**Venezuela's Death Toll Rises to 2,295 Amid Worsening Medical Crisis**
*By Sertac Aktan with AP*
*Published on 02/07/2026 - 5:45 GMT+2*
The aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with the death toll now reported at 2,295 and over 11,000 individuals injured. The earthquakes have left thousands of displaced survivors living in overcrowded shelters, many of which lack access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.
Medical professionals are sounding alarms over the potential for a severe medical crisis as the situation continues to deteriorate. The lack of clean water and poor sanitary conditions in the shelters could lead to a spike in infections, particularly among those who have been exposed to the disaster for extended periods. Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at Hospital del Oeste Dr. José Gregorio Hernández in Caracas, expressed concerns about the looming threat of infections complicating the already dire health situation. "We’ve already gone through a period of complex trauma, which will continue to occur, but now it’s complicated by infections," he stated.
The earthquakes have not only caused immediate casualties but have also exacerbated Venezuela's long-standing healthcare challenges. Years of economic decline, underfunding of health services, and mass emigration of medical professionals have left the country with a severe shortage of doctors. Aid workers are warning that the extensive damage to infrastructure could further fuel disease outbreaks in the hardest-hit areas. Veronique Durroux, the spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian agency for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted concerns about vector-borne diseases, stating, "It’s very hot, and there’s a lot of concern about potential vector-borne diseases. Waste management is an issue. Debris management, when you see the scale of devastation, it’s very concerning."
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the United States has deployed 900 military personnel to Venezuela to assist with relief and rescue operations. The U.S. military has focused on repairing earthquake-damaged infrastructure, including a runway at the primary international airport serving Caracas, to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid. Additionally, U.S. naval assets have been positioned off the coast to aid in the airlifting of survivors.
The U.S. government has pledged $300 million in assistance to Venezuela, which will be distributed through aid organizations and the United Nations. However, this amount represents only a small fraction of the estimated $6.7 billion in material damage caused by the earthquakes, as determined by satellite analysis from the U.N. Development Programme.
In the past few days, over 50 international teams have arrived in Venezuela to assist with search-and-rescue efforts. Notably, personnel from countries such as Ecuador and Israel, which do not maintain diplomatic relations with Venezuela, have joined the relief efforts. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers continue to find survivors; a toddler was recently rescued after being trapped for six days.
As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, where the combination of natural disaster and pre-existing vulnerabilities poses a significant challenge to recovery efforts. The coming days will be critical as aid organizations work to address the immediate needs of the affected population and prevent further loss of life.