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Health risks rise for Venezuela quake survivors in crowded shelters
More than 17,900 people were displaced by the June 24 twin quakes, and WHO warned that disrupted care and poor water and sanitation could trigger respiratory and digestive outbreaks.
Venezuela’s earthquake survivors face escalating health threats as overcrowded shelters and damaged health services strain access to clean water, sanitation, and routine care, the World Health Organization’s Americas branch said Thursday.
According to Reuters, Venezuela has opened more than 80 shelters for people whose homes were destroyed in the twin quakes on June 24, with the displaced population reaching 17,907 by Thursday.
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said the biggest risks in the coming weeks may come not only from injuries, but also from disruptions to health services, deficient water and sanitation, reduced access to vaccination, and limited routine healthcare.
WHO and PAHO said they will work with Venezuela’s health ministry to monitor potential outbreaks of respiratory or digestive illnesses and to support an early warning system that tracks diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections, febrile syndromes, and vaccine-preventable illnesses.