Venezuela's Earthquakes Reveal a Fragile Healthcare System

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, causing severe structural damage in Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira. At the time of publication, official reports indicate that 3,685 people have been declared dead, and more than 30,000 individuals remain missing. This catastrophic event has exposed the extreme fragility of a nation already struggling with a severely under-resourced and unprepared healthcare system. Dr. Hermes Florez and Dr. Zeina Hannoush are physicians who completed their medical training in Venezuela before immigrating to the United States. They now teach medicine and dedicate their efforts to supporting medical professionals in their home country. In a joint discussion, they shared their personal experiences during the quake, described the devastating aftermath, and discussed the urgent necessity to reform Venezuela’s healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Hannoush was present in Caracas when the earthquake first struck. She described the experience as intense and unusually prolonged. She had been visiting her aunt and uncle, who lived just 15 minutes from her own residence. The ground began to shake violently while she stood near the exit of her aunt’s building. She later realized with relief that if she had waited merely two additional seconds, she would have been trapped inside an elevator. Because she was already in the street, she was able to move quickly away from danger. She heard the loud sounds of crashing plates and people yelling from inside the surrounding buildings. Dr. Hannoush walked toward an open area away from trees and structures, where she began shouting to encourage others to evacuate their buildings. The specific neighborhood where she was located did not suffer the same level of destruction as La Guaira, a coastal city that was heavily impacted by the seismic activity. Immediately after the initial shaking ceased, she drove back to her in-laws’ home in another part of Caracas. Her primary concern was ensuring that her children were safe from the ongoing danger.

The disaster did not end with a single event. Significant aftershocks continued throughout the entire following week. These tremors were strong enough to shake beds and wake people up in the middle of the night. Families repeatedly had to exit their homes and stand in the streets to avoid potential building collapse. This prolonged period of instability created a climate of constant fear and uncertainty for residents who were already traumatized by the initial quake.

Dr. Florez explained that the healthcare system in Venezuela was already in a state of crisis before the earthquakes occurred. He moved to the United States to complete postgraduate medical training. He had originally planned to return to Venezuela to practice, but his plans changed around 2002. During that time, an attempted political coup occurred, which destabilized the country politically and socially. Later, he became involved in criticizing data censorship and the severe lack of resources in the public health system. As a result of his public criticism, he was placed on a government blacklist, which limited his ability to return. Despite these challenges, he has maintained connections with colleagues in Venezuela and among the global diaspora. Since the 2026 earthquakes, he has worked tirelessly to coordinate relief efforts. He collaborates with a network of professionals, primarily based at the University of Miami and the Venezuelan American Medical Association. This group provides critical support to those affected by the disaster, bridging the gap between international resources and local needs.

The conditions in Venezuelan public hospitals were already dire before the natural disaster struck. A recent article in The Lancet noted that fewer than 10% of Venezuelans can afford private care. Approximately 70% of the population lives in poverty. Consequently, most people must rely on public hospitals for their medical needs. However, these facilities often lack basic resources. Patients are frequently required to pay out of pocket for essential supplies. In many regions outside Caracas, even water and electricity are unreliable, making surgical and emergency care exceptionally difficult. Dr. Hannoush described the standard of care in these facilities as extremely challenging. If a patient needed surgery for a broken leg or a hip replacement, the hospital would provide the surgeon. However, the patient was expected to bring all necessary supplies. This included blankets, pillows, food, gauze, gloves, and even the mattress they would sleep on during recovery. If a prosthetic limb was needed, the family had to purchase it themselves. Because of this burden, individual fundraising campaigns are common. Patients and their families often rely on community donations to survive these medical procedures.

Venezuela is located in a region known for frequent seismic activity. Despite this geographic reality, the country lacked a structured plan for natural disasters. Dr. Hannoush noted that while many people rushed to help with great sincerity, the effort was often disorganized. The volume of aid needed was overwhelming, and distribution channels were not well established. This chaos hindered the efficiency of rescue operations and relief efforts. Dr. Florez attributed this lack of preparedness to years of systemic neglect. He recalled that his father worked for the national oil company for over thirty years. During that time, the company had robust redundancy systems to maintain power for oil extraction and other services. However, after political conflicts in 2002 and 2003, the government abandoned these maintenance protocols. Preventive measures were removed, and no exercises were conducted to anticipate catastrophic events. The situation in healthcare was even worse. Although the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization provide guidelines for emergency preparedness, these standards were not implemented over the past two decades. Furthermore, Venezuela’s building codes do not require structures to be built to withstand earthquakes. This lack of engineering standards contributed significantly to the high number of casualties and damaged infrastructure.

Aid continues to flow into Venezuela from around the world. Many people in the United States and reputable nonprofit organizations are eager to donate resources. However, there is significant mistrust between the government and these organizations. Historical precedents have created this hesitation. During the 1999 floods and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, donations were often sent directly to the government for distribution. In those instances, many supplies never reached the people who needed them most. Because of this history, donors are cautious about how their contributions are handled. Dr. Hannoush has been working to navigate these logistical and political barriers. She helps ensure that donations pass through customs and reach the correct hospitals. Her goal is to get resources directly to medical colleagues on the ground, ensuring that aid reaches patients rather than getting lost in bureaucratic systems. This direct channel is vital for maintaining trust and ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive timely care.

Despite the devastation, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The global pandemic forced many countries to enhance virtual care platforms and digital training tools. Dr. Florez believes these technologies can now be used to train the medical workforce in Venezuela. Thousands of Venezuelan doctors have emigrated, but those remaining in the country need support. The diaspora can help provide remote training and resources to improve local healthcare capabilities. This transfer of knowledge and expertise is crucial for rebuilding the system from within. Dr. Florez remains hopeful that the community can recover. He acknowledges that while the immediate focus is on earthquake relief, long-term reform is essential. The healthcare system requires a complete overhaul. Both the urgent needs of disaster response and the structural needs of the medical system must be addressed simultaneously. The resilience of the Venezuelan people and their global network offers a path forward, but the work ahead is substantial. The international community must remain engaged to support this critical transition, ensuring that the lessons learned from this tragedy lead to lasting improvements in healthcare access and infrastructure.