Such assessments, it said, were helping humanitarian responders identify the communities most affected and prioritise where to deliver life-saving aid, even as ground assessments continue.
“The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows,” IOM chief Amy Pope said in the statement.
“IOM is scaling up rapidly: prepositioned relief items are already being deployed, and we are working with the Government and partners to deliver emergency shelter, essential supplies, and protection,” she added.
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Life-saving assistance
Warning that displacement was sure to rise in the country, which was already facing a humanitarian crisis before the quakes hit, Pope stressed that “a swift response is essential as we deliver life-saving assistance and support the people of Venezuela through the difficult days and months ahead”.
The UN migration agency stressed that needs were “immediate and significant”, with families who have lost everything requiring everything from emergency shelter, safe water and sanitation services to healthcare and protection support.
IOM said that it had prepositioned emergency relief supplies in Caracas, which were “now being prepared for distribution to communities with the greatest needs”.
It called on the international community to act swiftly to support the response, stressing that “timely humanitarian assistance will save lives, alleviate suffering and help affected communities begin the long road to recovery”.
