Thousands of Venezuelans remain homeless and separated from their families two months after a double earthquake struck the country [3].
The ongoing crisis highlights a severe lack of housing and communication infrastructure, leaving survivors to rely on cars or outdoor shelters while the diaspora struggles to locate missing relatives.
The disasters consisted of two separate earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 [2]. The seismic events caused widespread building collapses and power outages across the region [1]. According to reports, the death toll from the double earthquake reached 6,438 [3].
For many survivors, the immediate tragedy has transitioned into a long-term struggle for basic shelter. Some displaced citizens are currently living in their vehicles or in the open air due to the loss of their homes [1].
This displacement has extended beyond the borders of Venezuela. In Chile, Venezuelan citizens have expressed anguish over their inability to contact family members. José León said he received news of the double earthquake that shook his native country at 6:30 p.m. on a Wednesday [1].
Other survivors continue to wait for government or international intervention. Quintero, a musician, said, "Until they give us an answer about what they could do with us" [2].
The combination of structural damage and the collapse of communication networks has left many in a state of uncertainty. With thousands still without permanent housing, the recovery process remains slow—leaving many to fear they have been forgotten by the world [3].
“The death toll from the double earthquake reached 6,438.”
The scale of the death toll and the continued displacement two months after the event suggest a failure in immediate disaster response and a lack of resilient urban infrastructure. The struggle of the diaspora to contact relatives underscores how the collapse of local communications can isolate victims from their primary support networks during humanitarian crises.
