The emphasis in Venezuela is moving away from search and rescue operations towards delivering medical aid as a significant health emergency approaches, said João Almeida da Silva, one of 11 specialists sent to the affected nation by the European Union's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), according to Euronews.
"There is certainly going to be a significant demand for assistance with Venezuela," da Silva stated during Euronews' main morning show. Europe Today. He was addressing the media from an operational headquarters located at La Guaira Stadium, one of the most severely affected regions in the country.
A pair of earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale hit within minutes of each other on Wednesday of last week, representing one of the most severe catastrophes in this South American country in more than 100 years. The number of fatalities caused by Venezuela's consecutive powerful quakes rose to 2,300 on Thursday, 2 July.
The European Union committed €5 million to offer urgent assistance to the hardest-hit communities due to the rising humanitarian demands resulting from the earthquakes. Estimated direct financial damages are anticipated to amount to $6.7 billion (approximately €5.9 billion).
"I believe the numbers clearly indicate the situation regarding individuals, particularly those who have vanished or gone missing. What we observe is a significant health emergency approaching that could develop over the next few days or weeks," da Silva stated, noting that intense heat and high humidity are making things more difficult.
"we believe that health will be the key concern in the coming weeks," he stated.
'Clock is ticking'
Search teams keep searching for those still trapped, yet the hours are slipping away. "We're making progress, but regrettably, every moment counts in the effort to find potential survivors," da Silva stated.
"Nevertheless, the teams continue their efforts. The Portuguese group has been working for nearly two days on one potential recovery option, but they were forced to halt operations on Wednesday morning because of structural issues within the building," he stated, noting that optimism persists.
This feeling of hope was partly fueled by the recovery of 3-year-old Klieber Morán, who was rescued from the debris by a Jordanian relief team early Tuesday following six days stuck beneath the wreckage.
"Each individual who was saved has a miraculous tale. Regrettably, the numbers are not as desirable as we hope, yet undoubtedly, every person we've been able to rescue makes a difference," da Silva stated.
A group of more than 45 global emergency response units has been sent to the most severely impacted regions, including support from European countries.
Immediately, the EU acted via the Union Civil Protection Mechanism," said da Silva. "Rescue crews were on site right from the start to oversee, assist, and collaborate with local officials in order to expedite movement across the area as quickly as possible.
Frustration over state response
Accounts are emerging from Venezuela indicating that locals are showing significant anger due to insufficient support provided by the military and the Venezuelan government after the seismic events, with certain individuals condemning what they refer to as a sluggish and ineffective reaction.
Footage has circulated depicting ordinary people and volunteers sifting through debris using only their bare hands. When asked if he had observed this absence of assistance at the scene, da Silva stated that it has been challenging for humanitarian groups to gain access.
"Everyone is aware of the political circumstances in Venezuela, yet this is our current reality. We must collaborate with the military because they hold authority over the airport, the port, and thus manage our key logistical locations for delivering aid," he stated.
An expert in humanitarian operations mentioned that he was unable to address the existence of the government or its activities.
"From their end, they are doing everything feasible. Naturally, they weren't prepared for something of this scale," da Silva stated. However, he mentioned that conditions have shown improvement in recent days.
we were able to build a stronger connection, enabling us to offer them maximum assistance going forward.