"A war zone": Aid workers in Venezuela worry about a health crisis following earthquakes
Due to overpopulation and a lack of access to sanitary facilities and clean water, aid workers are concerned about disease outbreaks in makeshift shelters.
According to Steven McLoud, a spokesman for the US military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the United States has about 900 military soldiers on the ground in Venezuela as of Wednesday to assist relief and rescue efforts, The Associated Press news agency reported.
Medical professionals worry that the impact of the terrible twin earthquakes in Venezuela could lead to an expanding health catastrophe characterized by infectious infections, untreated injuries, and a healthcare system that is already in danger of collapsing.
Following the June 24 earthquakes, which officials claimed on Wednesday killed at least 2,295 people and injured over 11,000, thousands of displaced Venezuelans are sleeping in cramped temporary shelters or outside without access to clean water in unhygienic conditions.
Following the June 24 earthquakes, which officials claimed on Wednesday killed at least 2,295 people and injured over 11,000, thousands of displaced Venezuelans are sleeping in cramped temporary shelters or outside without access to clean water in unhygienic conditions.
Eugenio Cova, the chief of the trauma unit at Hospital Jose Gregorio Hernandez in Caracas, stated, "The problem we anticipate just around the corner is the infections that patients who have been exposed to the disaster for the longest time might bring."
"We've already experienced a period of complex trauma, which will continue to occur, but infections are making it more difficult now," Cova stated.
Additionally, aid workers caution that widespread infrastructure damage may contribute to disease epidemics in the most severely affected areas.
Al Jazeera's correspondent Teresa Bo reported from a shelter camp in the La Guaira district, saying, "There have been lots of reports among the population here with diarrhoea and other diseases."
Bo stated, "They're requesting, for instance, portable restrooms and assistance from the government to try to reorganize this place to try to prevent overcrowding and the spread of disease."
"We've already experienced a period of complex trauma, which will continue to occur, but infections are making it more difficult now," Cova stated.
Additionally, aid workers caution that widespread infrastructure damage may contribute to disease epidemics in the most severely affected areas.
Al Jazeera's correspondent Teresa Bo reported from a shelter camp in the La Guaira district, saying, "There have been lots of reports among the population here with diarrhoea and other diseases."
Bo stated, "They're requesting, for instance, portable restrooms and assistance from the government to try to reorganize this place to try to prevent overcrowding and the spread of disease."
900 US military men are sent to Venezuela to help
According to Steven McLoud, a spokesman for the US military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the United States has about 900 military soldiers on the ground in Venezuela as of Wednesday to assist relief and rescue efforts, The Associated Press news agency reported.
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