CARACAS, July 24 — One month after the earthquakes that struck Venezuela's northern coast, an estimated 2.1 million tonnes of debris remain across the hardest-hit areas, nearly double the initial estimate, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Friday, underscoring the scale of the clean-up needed before reconstruction can advance.

Managing the estimated 2.1 million tonnes of debris and waste—equivalent to the load of approximately 105,000 20-tonne trucks-, is far more than clearing rubble. It requires assessing risks, sorting materials, recovering reusable resources, identifying hazardous waste, and ensuring safe and environmentally responsible disposal.

The 24 June earthquakes left a profound human toll, killing more than 5,300 people, displacing nearly 18,000 people and disrupting the lives and livelihoods of millions. Homes, businesses, public facilities and essential services were severely affected. Effective debris removal is essential to protect people's safety, respect the grief of affected families, and create the conditions for a safe, dignified and sustainable recovery.

The revised debris estimate, which now includes the Capital District in addition to La Guaira state, is based on UNDP’s initial RAPIDA assessment, which used satellite imagery and artificial intelligence. The estimate was subsequently refined through field surveys, drone imagery and additional data provided by technical partners. Government engineering teams have also advanced building inspections to determine which structures can be safely reoccupied, which require rehabilitation and which remain unsafe. The updated analysis has been shared with Venezuelan authorities to support debris removal planning and recovery efforts.

The Government of Venezuela has already commenced debris clearance operations and established temporary debris management sites across the affected areas. Over the past month, UNDP has been supporting these efforts through geospatial analysis, drone imagery and technical assistance to help identify priority areas, inform operational planning and strengthen technical, social and environmental protocols that support safe debris clearance, protect workers and affected communities, promote material recovery, and ensure the proper management and environmentally responsible disposal of debris at authorized sites in accordance with environmental standards.

"One month after the earthquakes, the focus is shifting from emergency response to recovery. This updated assessment reflects the combined efforts of government institutions, technical experts and partners. By combining field inspections with geospatial technologies and digital analysis, we are helping identify where action is needed first so debris can be cleared safely, families can return home sooner and recovery can move forward." said Luis Francisco Thais, UNDP Resident Representative in Venezuela.

UNDP is supporting the transition to early recovery by deploying engineers, environmental specialists, social workers, psychologists and other technical experts. Priority activities include debris management, restoration of essential services livelihoods initiatives and assistance to affected communities.

These efforts support the Plan for a Dignified, Safe and Inclusive Recovery of the Sectoral Vice Presidency for Public Works and Services, developed with technical assistance from UNDP. The plan provides a framework for coordinating and prioritizing action across nine strategic areas, including damage assessment, safe and environmentally responsible debris management, rehabilitation of housing and infrastructure, restoration of essential services, recovery of livelihoods, community resilience and risk-informed territorial planning.

As the response transitions to recovery, a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) — led by the Government of Venezuela with support from the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) — will quantify damages, losses and recovery needs and set the foundation for reconstruction financing.

Media Contacts: 

Sharon Grobeisen, Strategic Communications Advisor, Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean I Sharon.grobeisen@undp.org  

Gaby Goldman, Crisis Communications Lead I gabriela.goldman@undp.org

Lubel Mier y Terán, Communications Assistant, UNDP Venezuela Lubel.mieryteran@undp.org