Venezuela was already struggling before two back-to-back earthquakes hit the country, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The effects of over a decade of government mismanagement and economic sanctions are clear at Dr. José Manuel de Los Ríos Children’s Hospital in Caracas, where Dr. Huníades Urbina-Medina can treat only four children at a time in the intensive care unit.

Hospitals Overwhelmed

Many hospitals are damaged, and the remaining hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and lack basic cleaning supplies such as bleach and disinfectant. The Venezuelan government has updated the casualty toll from the earthquakes to over 1,700 dead and over 5,000 injured, but the US Geological Survey estimates that the true count may be much higher.

The government has extended school closures, and preliminary information suggests that 432 schools in Caracas alone have been damaged. Undamaged schools are being used as temporary shelters for the thousands of displaced people.

Humanitarian Crisis

The situation in Venezuela is dire, with many people still trapped under the rubble and families waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. The smell of death lingers in the air, and the stench of decay hangs around collapsed buildings throughout the city.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the task is daunting, and the chances of finding survivors are dwindling. The Venezuelan government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, and the international community is calling for aid and support to help the affected areas.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.