<\/p>\n
In a statement, Guterres said he was saddened by the devastation reported across several regions, including the capital, Caracas, where significant destruction has been recorded. Authorities have confirmed at least 167 deaths, with the toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The UN has moved quickly to support the emergency response. The organisation\u2019s humanitarian country team is already on the ground, working closely with the Venezuelan government and partners to coordinate assistance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to UN Spokesperson St\u00e9phane Dujarric, there has been no delay in mobilising support. \u201cWe\u2019re definitely not in a wait-and-see mode, we\u2019ve already mobilised on the ground,\u201d Dujarric said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is facilitating the deployment of international urban search-and-rescue teams, expected to arrive within hours to assist local efforts.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Initial reports indicate that many people have been killed or injured, while others remain trapped or missing beneath collapsed buildings. Damage to infrastructure has also disrupted essential services, further complicating the response.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite the scale of the disaster, the UN confirmed that its personnel in the country, around 800 staff members, are safe and actively supporting relief efforts.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A central coordination hub has been established in Caracas to help streamline operations and ensure aid reaches the most affected communities as quickly as possible. Guterres also welcomed offers of international assistance, highlighting the importance of global solidarity during the crisis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":38074,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[78,26],"class_list":["post-38073","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-featured","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the loss of life and extensive damage caused by powerful earthquakes in Venezuela.","published_date":"","news_description":"The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the loss of life and extensive damage caused by powerful earthquakes in Venezuela.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38075,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38073\/revisions\/38075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=38073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}