Venezuela needs billions to recover from earthquakes
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The United Nations Development Programme (PNUD) estimated that Venezuela requires $21 billion to rebuild after the earthquakes of June 24th.
Yamel Pérez, an official with PNUD in Venezuela, explained that the first step in the recovery process involved assessing damage to the economy, society, environment, and government institutions.
PNUD used a post-disaster needs assessment method, activating it at the request of the Venezuelan government with over 100 officials and support from organizations including CAF, the World Bank, and the European Union. The earthquakes generated two million tons of debris due to widespread destruction. PNUD evaluated damage across sectors including housing, water, health, energy, industry, commerce, tourism, governance, and the economy, with housing being one of the most heavily impacted.
The assessment considered not only infrastructure damage but also the broader human impact on different social groups. The evaluation also revealed that approximately one-third of government workers in the state of La Guaira died in the earthquakes, significantly impacting the capacity of local institutions. To support recovery efforts, PNUD partnered with Gustavo Dudamel and Venezuela’s National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs to create a fund which has been invested in La Guaira.
Michelle Muschett, PNUD’s director for Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the initial assessment to Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, hoping it will inform a resilient recovery framework.
