Venezuela marks two months since quakes amid housing, debris challenges

Two months after the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, the country faces a long recovery. The official death toll stands at 6,509, with thousands still missing and more than 17,000 people in temporary shelters Source: HeraldoMX, Infobae. The government, led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez, has signed a new housing law and announced plans to relocate families from schools to the Estadio Monumental Simón Bolívar, which can hold over 1,000 people Source: El Nacional, EFE via Infobae.

Housing response

The Ley de Promoción y Protección para la Construcción de Viviendas aims to boost construction, with 3,000 new homes underway in Catia La Mar Source: EFE via Diario Libre. So far, the government has delivered 335 new homes and recovered 1,001 Source: EFE via Infobae. A mortgage plan offers subsidies up to 80% for homes under $70,000, with sellers paid in dollars Source: Infobae. However, affected residents worry about eligibility, especially for the elderly and migrants abroad Source: Infobae.

Debris and reconstruction

Debris removal in La Guaira could take up to a year, with 2.1 million tons collected and 40,000 tons processed so far Source: El Nacional, El Día. The World Bank estimates direct physical damages at $19.6 billion Source: El Nacional. Meanwhile, heavy rains have caused flooding in Caracas, adding to the emergency Source: El Colombiano.

Ongoing search and health

Rescuers continue searching for bodies under rubble, with volunteers like Domingo Pacheco reporting that about 40 people remain missing in one tower alone Source: HeraldoMX, Listín Diario. Around 200 people have undergone amputations, with 40% being children Source: El Mundo. The government has not released an official count of the disappeared Source: HeraldoMX.