A Japanese nurse is providing critical medical care and food aid to residents displaced by two massive earthquakes in northern-central Venezuela [1].

The ongoing mission addresses a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by a lack of clean water, sanitation, and shelter. Because tens of thousands of people remain missing or displaced [4], the presence of international medical staff is vital to prevent further loss of life from preventable illness and injury.

Yūri Machida, a nurse with the NGO Peace Winds Japan, arrived in the region on July 6 [5]. She is currently working in harsh, dusty conditions to treat patients and support basic hygiene for those living in outdoor tents [1]. In addition to medical services, the effort includes distributing food, such as Japanese-style curry, to residents [1].

The region was devastated on June 24 by two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 [2, 3]. The scale of the destruction has forced approximately 23,000 people to live in temporary tents [1]. Other reports indicate that tens of thousands more remain unaccounted for [4].

Machida said the situation remains dire more than a month after the initial disasters. "Even after one month, it is still severe, and I feel that reaching the point of recovery will still be difficult," she said [6].

The medical team continues to operate under difficult environmental conditions, fighting dust and heat while managing limited resources, to stabilize the population in the affected zones [1].

“Approximately 23,000 people have been forced to live in temporary tents.”

The continued reliance on NGO-led medical interventions a month after the earthquakes suggests that Venezuela's domestic infrastructure is unable to cope with the scale of the disaster. The gap between the immediate emergency response and long-term recovery indicates a prolonged humanitarian crisis where basic needs like sanitation and clean water remain unmet for tens of thousands of survivors.