UN: Heavy rainfall complicates post-earthquake rescue efforts in Venezuela

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated on Tuesday that humanitarian operations to search for earthquake victims in Venezuela are becoming increasingly difficult due to high rainfall, which raises the risk of further landslides and collapses. “Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that rescue efforts are being complicated by a tropical wave and continuous heavy rains affecting Venezuela. These conditions increase the risk of further building collapses and landslides in the already impacted areas,” Dujarric said during a briefing. National authorities are monitoring high-risk zones, while the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to scale up life-saving assistance to support the government-led response. “Our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs inform us that international search and rescue operations are fully operational, with 50 rescue teams and over 2,300 personnel working alongside national authorities as the critical window to save lives narrows,” Dujarric added. On 24 June 2026, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela. According to the latest official data, the death toll has reached 1,719, with more than 5,000 injured and 12,000 displaced.