Venezuela earthquakes: One month on

Dear Friend,

Tomorrow will mark one month since two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, which have killed at least 5,346 people according to official figures. More than 23,100 survivors have been displaced by the destruction in both the capital Caracas, and the worst-affected area of La Guaira.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) launched its emergency response soon after the natural disaster struck. Our teams remain on the ground, assessing and responding to the evolving needs as we continue to assist people.

Already, MSF has distributed emergency trauma kits and medical supplies to treat nearly 10,000 people injured in the earthquakes.

In addition, we have donated 8.5 tonnes of medications, medical equipment, and sanitation supplies to support overwhelmed healthcare structures. This is a huge number of essential items, but there is still so much more to be done.

With the initial emergency phase now transitioning into ongoing recovery, our teams are continuing to provide direct healthcare through several mobile clinics, where our doctors, nurses, psychologists, a health promoter and other specialists have been undertaking more than 1,400 consultations and engagement sessions for chronic health conditions, respiratory infections, skin diseases and supporting mental health.

MSF is also offering practical support to eight hospitals by supplying trauma supplies, medications for pain management and infection prevention, personal protective equipment (PPE), specialised medical equipment, medical furniture, and cleaning supplies.

To ensure people’s dignity and hygiene, our teams are also supporting multiple sites for water distribution and have installed dozens of toilets.

We are able to continue delivering such a vast amount of support and resources to the people of Venezuela, thanks to our millions of generous donors around the world, just like you. We don’t take any money from governments in Australia or New Zealand, which means we can remain impartial and help anyone who needs us.

While we are not currently sending funds from Australia to Venezuela, it is an excellent example of how we do respond when unexpected emergencies occur.

Please consider making a donation to our emergency fund today, so that we can continue to act quickly when disaster strikes.

The full scale of the devastation in Venezuela is still emerging, and needs vary from one community to another. Our teams continue to assess and identify priority requirements, which currently include primary healthcare, access to safe water and sanitation, mental health support, essential medicines, continuity of health services, and prevention of risks associated with displacement and post-disaster conditions.

In emergencies like this, medical care cannot wait. People affected need rapid, safe, and need-based assistance. Our teams continue to work to provide medical care and humanitarian support where it is needed most.

You can find out more detailed information about our response to the Venezuela earthquakes here.

We will continue to bring you more information as we find out more. Until then, thank you for your interest in and support of MSF’s work, not just in Venezuela, but across the more than 70 countries where we work right around the world.

Warm regards,