The warning comes as rescue operations increasingly shift toward recovery efforts, with the number of survivors being pulled from the rubble falling sharply in recent days.

Government officials said rescue teams found only one survivor by Tuesday afternoon—a toddler rescued after spending six days trapped beneath a collapsed building. Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, announced the rescue while noting that official search operations had slowed significantly.

Authorities said rescue teams saved 5,380 people during the first two days after the earthquakes, compared with just four people rescued alive on Monday. Volunteer groups, however, carried out additional rescues independently before international emergency teams arrived.

Death Toll Continues to Rise

The Venezuelan government has placed the official death toll at more than 1,900 people.

Experts believe the actual number may be considerably higher as recovery crews continue retrieving bodies from collapsed buildings and morgues struggle to accommodate the increasing number of victims.

The United Nations estimated Tuesday that the earthquakes generated approximately 1.2 million tons of debris from destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure.

Aid agencies also warned that thousands of displaced residents remain exposed to harsh conditions after spending several days sleeping outdoors or inside overcrowded emergency shelters.

Hospitals Operating Beyond Capacity

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Venezuela’s healthcare system, already weakened by years of economic hardship and underinvestment, is now under extraordinary strain.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva that hospitals are operating beyond their capacity to manage the surge in trauma patients resulting from the disaster.

Government figures indicate that more than 15,800 people have been directly affected by the earthquakes, a number that primarily reflects officially registered displaced residents. According to UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf, that figure is expected to continue rising as damage assessments continue.

Many newly displaced families are sheltering in parks, vehicles and temporary camps, particularly in La Guaira, where shortages of food and essential supplies remain widespread.

Disease Risks Grow in Crowded Shelters

Humanitarian organizations warned that inadequate sanitation is creating conditions for disease outbreaks.

Without reliable access to toilets, showers or hygiene supplies, displaced communities face elevated risks of preventable illnesses, including measles, particularly because vaccination coverage remains low.

Lindmeier also warned that conditions favor the spread of mosquito-borne and waterborne diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever and malaria.

According to government data, the earthquakes damaged or compromised 38 hospitals across Venezuela.

The WHO has assessed 21 of those facilities. Three hospitals are no longer operational, while six others sustained significant structural damage. The remaining hospitals continue functioning but are struggling under heavy patient loads.

The crisis has also been worsened by shortages of medical personnel. WHO officials said numerous specialist physicians remain missing following the earthquakes, including healthcare professionals responsible for maternity services in La Guaira.

Years of migration have further weakened Venezuela’s healthcare workforce, with approximately 8 million people—including many doctors and nurses—having left the country in recent years.

Lindmeier said assessments revealed overcrowded emergency departments, growing surgical backlogs and deteriorating infection-control procedures.

International Aid Expands Across Disaster Zone

International humanitarian organizations have increased their presence in La Guaira and neighboring communities.

The Red Cross, the World Food Programme, and other relief organizations established temporary aid stations along public spaces, distributing food, medicines, hygiene products and protective equipment.

Long lines formed throughout Tuesday as residents sought emergency assistance under intense heat.

Families Search for Missing Relatives

Many Venezuelans continue searching for missing relatives as authorities have not released an official number of people still unaccounted for.

Families have increasingly relied on WhatsApp groups and nongovernmental online registries to report missing loved ones. One independent database listed more than 43,000 missing individuals.

During his daily televised briefing, Jorge Rodríguez reported that 1,943 people had died and 10,571 had been injured as of Tuesday. He urged the public to rely solely on official government information regarding casualties.

His figures, however, leave many people unaccounted for.

Rodríguez said officials estimate approximately 30,000 people were present in the hardest-hit areas of La Guaira when the earthquakes struck and that roughly 20,000 either escaped independently or were later rescued.

Meanwhile, NASA estimates that nearly 59,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed nationwide, suggesting the number of people affected extends into the hundreds of thousands.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Tuesday that approximately 680,000 children across Venezuela now require humanitarian assistance following the disaster.

Tags: Venezuela, La Guaira, Earthquake, World Health Organization, United Nations, UNICEF, UNHCR, Humanitarian Crisis, Healthcare, Red Cross, World Food Programme, Natural Disaster

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Escalating Violence in Eastern DR Congo Claims Hundreds of Lives

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing escalating violence, with over 700 people killed and 2,800 injured in just five days of intense fighting between January 26 and 30. The United Nations has raised alarms about the devastating toll the conflict is taking on civilians, as the situation continues to worsen.

According to UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, these numbers are expected to rise as humanitarian organizations continue to assess the situation on the ground.

Rebel Advances and Territorial Gains in Eastern DR Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, in collaboration with the DRC government, reported the grim toll of casualties during an assessment conducted between January 26 and 29. Dujarric emphasized that the humanitarian impact is significant, citing the widespread looting of aid warehouses and offices in the city of Goma.

On January 30, the city of Goma, located in North Kivu province, was reported to have fallen under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, marking the latest in a series of territorial gains by the rebel group. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, though this claim remains unconfirmed. Despite the government’s denial, it has acknowledged that Goma is under siege.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Goma Faces Shortages

The humanitarian situation in Goma is dire. With the M23 rebels making rapid advances, including taking control of key areas, civilians in the region are facing severe shortages of essential goods. Basic necessities are scarce, and access to safe drinking water has been completely cut off, leaving people with no choice but to rely on untreated water from Lake Kivu, which poses a significant health risk.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that without immediate action, the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks in the region will continue to rise.

Government Response and Ongoing Tensions

On January 28, President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC vowed to mount a “vigorous and coordinated response” against the M23 rebel coalition. He expressed his determination to defend the nation’s mineral-rich eastern regions, which have long been a source of conflict. Local troops, many of whom have been forced to surrender to the rebels, are also under pressure.

Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, stated on January 30 that while sporadic shooting continues, overall calm is gradually being restored in Goma. However, the rebels are reported to be moving quickly, with their forces located just 60 kilometers north of the strategic city of Bukavu, further intensifying fears of broader instability.

Humanitarian Aid Struggling to Meet Growing Needs

Humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide aid, but the ongoing violence and displacement of local populations have made it challenging to deliver assistance. Looting and insecurity have left the region’s aid offices and warehouses vulnerable, complicating efforts to address the growing crisis.

The WHO and other partners continue to monitor the situation, with a focus on preventing the spread of diseases amid worsening sanitation conditions.

Urgent Call for Action

The UN and humanitarian groups are calling for urgent international support to address the humanitarian crisis in Eastern DR Congo. Without immediate intervention, both the human cost of the conflict and the risk of further health crises will continue to grow.

As the M23 rebels continue to gain ground and the safety of civilians remains in jeopardy, the international community is urged to increase efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and seek a long-term resolution to the violent conflict that has plagued the region for years.

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In a significant move, the State Department announced a freeze on new funding for nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs worldwide on Friday. The decision, which includes exceptions for emergency food programs and military assistance to Israel and Egypt, effectively suspends funding for a wide range of U.S.-backed global initiatives.

These initiatives, which cover areas such as health, education, development, job training, anti-corruption, and security assistance, have long been part of the U.S.’s robust global aid efforts. In 2023 alone, the U.S. allocated about $60 billion—approximately 1% of the federal budget—for foreign assistance, making it the world’s largest provider of international aid.

Exemptions and Humanitarian Concerns

The freeze follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday, and Friday’s order specifically exempted emergency food programs, such as those aimed at addressing the growing famine crisis in Sudan. However, it did not include specific exemptions for critical health programs, including clinics, vaccinations, and life-saving treatments.

One of the most notable programs affected is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a globally acclaimed initiative that has saved over 25 million lives, including 5.5 million children, since its inception under President George W. Bush. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern over the suspension of these vital services, which could lead to severe consequences for people in need.

Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, warned that suspending foreign development assistance could result in “life or death consequences” for vulnerable communities worldwide. Maxman criticized the move, stating that it undermines the U.S.’s long-standing bipartisan commitment to providing aid based on need, rather than political considerations.

Aid Freezes and Immediate Impact

Following the freeze, some U.S.-funded aid projects received their first stop-work orders on Friday afternoon. Experts from prominent aid organizations suggested that many projects would cease operations immediately to avoid additional costs.

One former senior U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) official, speaking anonymously, described the move as an “immediate stop-work order” that could halt crucial projects around the world, particularly those in conflict zones.

Military Assistance and Ukraine

The State Department’s directive included exceptions for military assistance to key allies like Israel and Egypt. However, it remained unclear whether this exception would extend to military aid for Ukraine. The Biden administration had previously pushed military aid to Ukraine before leaving office, anticipating uncertainty about future funding under the Trump administration. While $3.85 billion in authorized funding remains, it is now up to Trump to decide whether to allocate these funds for future arms shipments.

Refugee and Resettlement Programs Affected

The freeze also impacted refugee and resettlement programs. The State Department’s bureau overseeing refugee resettlement sent guidance to agencies, instructing them to suspend all work funded by foreign assistance. This suspension could temporarily disrupt resettlement efforts for refugees, including those from Afghanistan who arrived under special immigrant visas.

Republican Pushback on Foreign Assistance

The freeze reflects President Trump and other Republican leaders’ pledge to re-evaluate U.S. foreign aid programs. Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, the new chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, promised to closely scrutinize every aspect of the State Department’s budget. This includes reviewing foreign aid to ensure that it aligns with Trump’s policies and priorities.

The State Department’s cable indicated that a review process would be underway within the next month, to ensure all foreign assistance is consistent with the President’s foreign policy agenda. A report summarizing the findings of this review will be presented to Trump within three months, allowing for further recommendations on how to proceed with foreign aid funding.

Conclusion

While the freeze on foreign aid has garnered support from Republicans aiming to trim U.S. spending, it has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations, global partners, and aid recipients. The decision to suspend foreign assistance could have far-reaching consequences, especially for those relying on U.S. support in times of crisis. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these programs are affected and whether the review process will lead to broader changes in U.S. foreign aid priorities.

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