Venezuela’s earthquake death toll has climbed to 3,535 with nearly 17,000 injured and thousands remaining homeless as rescue operations continue into the second week. Two strong earthquakes—magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5—struck northwest and central Venezuela on June 24, 2026, near San Felipe with epicenters just seconds apart. Total damage reached an estimated $37 billion.

The UN scaled up relief operations as Jamaica announced humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. The Disasters Emergency Committee raised over £10 million for its appeal launched July 1. International response accelerated as the scale of destruction became clear.

Rescue Efforts Continue

Rescue teams found a dog named Draco alive Monday after twelve days trapped under rubble in Caraballeda. The faint bark led family members and responders to his location. Draco’s rescue provided rare positive news amid the broader tragedy. Similar stories of survival keep hope alive but remain exceptions.

Most people found after a week in rubble don’t survive. Draco’s rescue suggests the building didn’t completely pancake. Gaps exist where air pockets allowed breathing. Rescue teams prioritize these structures knowing survival odds diminish rapidly with time.

Homeless And Displaced

Approximately 17,000 residents remain homeless. Makeshift shelters and emergency housing can’t replace homes destroyed in seconds. Schools serve as temporary shelters. Hospitals are overwhelmed. Water, food, and medicine remain scarce in affected areas.

Infrastructure damage extends beyond residential destruction. Roads collapsed. Power lines fell. Water systems fractured. Recovery will take years, not months. Venezuela’s economic struggles before the earthquake now compound the rebuilding burden.

International aid continues arriving in Caracas. Local authorities estimate recovery efforts will span at least 18 months minimum.