The U.N. Development Programme presented a post-disaster needs assessment concluding Venezuela may need up to $21 billion to recover from the June 24 earthquakes. The twin quakes (magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5) caused an estimated $14.8 billion in damage across seven states and left thousands homeless. The report—prepared with Venezuela's government, the U.N., EU and World Bank—found over 11,000 homes severely damaged and roughly 14,000 moderately damaged. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described it as "a real assessment" of recovery needs.
U.N.: Venezuela Needs Up to $21 Billion to Rebuild After Devastating June 24 Quakes
An aerial photograph shows debris at the Hugo Chavez housing complex in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on September 4. Two earthquakes, of 7.2-magnitude and 7.5-magnitude, struck Venezuela on June 14, causing widespread damage and killing more than 6,500 people. Photo by Henry Chirinos/EPA
Sept. 16 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented a post-disaster needs assessment on Tuesday concluding that Venezuela will require up to $21 billion to recover from the powerful earthquakes that struck on June 24.
Assessment Overview
The UNDP said the requested sum "includes measures to build back better, ensure resilience and reduce risk conditions," in a post on X. The study examined the quakes' impact on social, productive and infrastructure sectors, and assessed cross-cutting issues such as disaster risk reduction and resilience.
Damage and Human Impact
The twin tremors — measured at magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 — produced an estimated $14.8 billion in damage and losses across seven affected states, the assessment found. More than 11,000 homes suffered severe damage and roughly 14,000 sustained moderate damage, leaving thousands homeless and damaging infrastructure across central Venezuela.
"This report is a real assessment of Venezuela's post-earthquake needs," Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said after receiving the findings, according to local paper Últimas Noticias.
Michelle Muschett, UNDP's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the findings to Rodríguez at government headquarters in Caracas. The assessment was led by the Venezuelan government and carried out with support from the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.
Next Steps
In the wake of the quakes, the Venezuelan government requested U.N. assistance to develop housing programs for the thousands who lost their homes. The assessment aims to guide recovery planning that prioritizes resilience and reduced future risk.
Official Toll: Per the latest official death toll published Aug. 24 by Rodríguez's government, the two earthquakes killed more than 6,500 people.
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