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- On 24 June 2026, two consecutive earthquakes (M7.2 and M7.5) struck north-central Venezuela, affecting at least seven states, with La Guaira the most severely impacted. Authorities have since reported more than 1,202 aftershocks.
- The health response has transitioned from rapid damage assessments to restoring the continuity of essential health services. Functional constraints persist across the affected health network, particularly in La Guaira, where reduced hospital capacity continues to limit specialized care and increase pressure on referral pathways.
- Recovery efforts are focused on restoring health system functionality through coordinated assessments, health facility recovery and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) support. Damage has been identified in 38 health facilities across the three most affected states, while Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) remains a priority need, particularly in La Guaira and temporary shelters.
- PAHO/WHO is actively supporting the Ministry of Health (MPPS) in deployed seven Regional Response Team specialists covering health emergency coordination, logistics, information systems and media, epidemiology, risk communication and community engagement, EMT coordination, and rapid health facility assessment. In coordination with MoH, PAHO/WHO is supporting the virtual CICOM and EMT mobilization: Thirteen EMTs are operational in La Guaira, Caracas and Miranda and Aragua increasing clinical capacity in affected areas.
- PAHO/WHO has locally distributed an initial 6 tons of supplies, delivering Trauma and Emergency Surgery Kits to 4 high-complexity hospitals and medication and equipment modules to 5 community health areas (ASIC) and a specialized clinic. A chartered plane (with ~27.5 metric tons of supplies) is now being coordinated, carrying Interagency Emergency Health Kits, additional surgery kits, and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) treatment kits to further strengthen referral hospitals and primary care networks.
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