Venezuela Opens Donation Portal as Earthquake Death Toll Passes 2,000

A week after twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela, the death toll has exceeded 2,000, according to official figures, while international aid begins to arrive through a newly launched government portal. The quakes devastated six states, with La Guaira the hardest hit.

International Aid Portal

On Wednesday, the government activated the website Venezuelanoestasola.com to centralize donations. The portal accepts monetary contributions via a CAF bank account and allows organizations to request flight permits for in-kind aid Source: elcolombiano. Foreign Minister Yván Gil urged solidarity: "¡Venezuela no está sola!" Source: infobae. More than 30 countries have offered support, and over 1,200 tonnes of aid have already been received Source: listindiario. The UN World Food Programme plans to assist 500,000 people in shelters Source: listindiario.

Discrepant Casualty Figures

Official reports vary significantly. Earlier counts from the government cited 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured Source: elcolombiano. However, later updates from Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez raised the toll to 2,295 dead and 11,267 injured, with 157 missing Source: infobae, elnacionalve. The discrepancy has not been explained. The UN Development Programme estimates $6.7 billion in damages Source: listindiario.

• More than 81,000 families have been attended to Source: elnacionalve.
• Rescue efforts involve 3,660 foreign rescuers, 148 dogs, and 26,121 Venezuelan personnel Source: listindiario.