Damage to hospitals, schools, and water systems is exacerbating the situation for affected families, many of whom remain displaced.
The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, left at least 1,430 people dead and 3,238 injured, according to the latest official count. More than 3,100 families have been affected, while authorities continue to assess the damage and aftershocks maintain uncertainty in the affected areas.
The search continues
On Saturday, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Venezuela, Gianluca Rampolla, carried out his first mission to La Guaira , the most state most affected by the earthquake, accompanied by several UN agencies. The visit included a tour of some of the hardest-hit areas and the coordination centre for search and rescue teams.
Together with the authorities, the mission also made progress in identifying locations to install services for families who lost their homes or cannot return to them.
Mr. Rampolla highlighted that, alongside the destruction and the anguish of the families, he found that neighbours, volunteers and rescue teams from around the globe had mobilised in support of the victims.
"At a time when we're always focused on the bad things happening in the world, here's a gesture of solidarity from around the globe to support Venezuelans," he said.
"The first priority is to get the people still alive out of the rubble, and that's why supporting and coordinating the teams arriving from all over the world is so important. At the same time, we have to support the survivors."
Teams from 27 countries, with more than 2,200 rescuers and 140 search dogs, are working to locate people trapped under the rubble, with UN support in coordination.
A representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies described the emotional impact of the search efforts, in which hope, pain, and fear of aftershocks are mixed.
"People haven't lost hope. Hours pass, but all efforts are focused on saving lives and helping people," he said. "The sense of community is immense. There's a strength that comes from the desire to find friends and loved ones, and that's mixed with pain, with fear because the earthquake is still shaking, and with immense fragility."
A children's emergency
UNICEF 's new estimate reflects a crisis that extends far beyond collapsed structures. For hundreds of thousands of children, the earthquake has jeopardised access to healthcare, safe water, protection, and education.
"Hospitals are operating beyond capacity, thousands of children lack reliable access to clean water, and many schools have been damaged," said Manuel Rodríguez Pumarol, UNICEF Representative in Venezuela.
"UNICEF is working with the Venezuelan government and its partners to scale up support for children and families, but sustained funding will be essential to maintain the response in the coming weeks."
The agency indicated that damage to hospitals in La Guaira, Caracas, Carabobo, Aragua and Falcón is affecting the care of children and pregnant women.
In the Capital District, preliminary information indicates damage to 432 schools, more than a third of the total. Some schools that remain safe are being used as temporary shelters for displaced families.
UNICEF has mobilised additional staff and supplies to reach some 650,000 people, including 234,000 children, with support in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection and education.
The agency's first flight, carrying 20 tons of medical supplies and water and sanitation equipment, arrived in the country on Friday. A second shipment, from UNICEF's global supply hub in Copenhagen, is expected in the coming days.
