More than a month after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, residents in hard-hit areas like La Guaira continue to grapple with the immediate aftermath, including collapsed buildings, piled-up garbage, and families camping outdoors due to unsafe housing. Public health and environmental experts caution that the coming weeks are crucial to preventing secondary crises stemming from contaminants in the rubble and the ongoing rebuilding efforts.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes on June 24 reportedly killed over 5,000 people, injured nearly 17,000, and left approximately 18,000 homeless, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands remain missing. The World Bank has placed the direct physical damage at $19.6 billion.
Survivors face mounting environmental challenges in a region where the health system was already strained by years of economic crisis. Dust from collapsed structures hangs in the air, contributing to respiratory issues such as coughs, allergies, fever, and headaches among residents and relief workers who spend time near the debris. "The smell of corpses is very strong" in some neighborhoods, according to Carolina de Jesús, Venezuela project director for Project HOPE.
Environmental Hazards from Debris
Managing an estimated 1.2 million tons of earthquake debris presents a significant environmental hurdle. Much of this rubble may be contaminated with hazardous materials like fuels, motor oil, paints, solvents, and plastics. Experts are concerned that these pollutants could spread if the debris is not properly sorted and disposed of. In La Guaira, limited space due to the proximity of steep mountains to populated areas complicates disposal efforts.
Authorities are reportedly separating contaminated debris from reusable materials. Recyclable waste, such as concrete, is intended for reconstruction, while hazardous materials like asbestos and chemical residues require disposal at specialized facilities, according to Joaquín Benítez, director of Environmental Sustainability at Andrés Bello Catholic University. Concerns have been raised about debris potentially being dumped along the coast or into the sea during the initial emergency response to clear roads, though local journalists indicate this practice has since stopped. Such actions could impact water quality, marine ecosystems, and coastal habitats.
Diego Díaz Martín, president of environmental organization Vitalis, warned that seasonal rains could trigger landslides on weakened hillsides and that damage to sensitive ecosystems may go undetected in areas yet to be assessed. He urged that recovery efforts include measures to reduce future environmental risks and that rebuilding should avoid landslide-prone areas.
Public Health Concerns
Access to safe drinking water remains a primary challenge. Even water supplied by trucks may not be adequately treated, increasing the risk of diarrheal diseases, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. "Earthquakes do not cause outbreaks by themselves. The risk comes from the post-disaster conditions," explained Dr. Mauricio Cerpa, an epidemiologist with the Pan American Health Organization's Emergency Operations Center.
Overcrowded shelters, disrupted water and sanitation systems, interrupted healthcare, and reduced vaccination coverage create fertile ground for disease transmission. Health officials have identified 18 priority diseases and public health issues requiring immediate notification, including diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, dengue, malaria, and measles. Pre-existing low vaccination coverage in Venezuela exacerbates concerns about disease spread in crowded conditions.
Disease surveillance in temporary shelters is a priority, with health teams supporting vaccination campaigns and improving water and sanitation. Thousands of individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension are at increased risk if health services remain disrupted. Humanitarian workers and volunteers have joined relief efforts amidst questions about the speed and coordination of the official response.
The earthquakes have compounded existing shortages of medicines, healthcare workers, and medical infrastructure, putting many patients at risk of missing routine care, according to Alycia Clark, Direct Relief's vice president and chief pharmacy officer. Experts agree that the next phase of recovery must focus on restoring safe water and sanitation, rebuilding essential health services, and managing environmental hazards to prevent new emergencies. The immediate trauma response will transition to a longer-term public health challenge, with needs expected to grow.