Medical experts and aid workers have raised concerns about a growing health crisis in Venezuela in the wake of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24. The disasters have resulted in at least 2,295 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries, according to government officials, with thousands of displaced residents living in overcrowded temporary shelters or outdoors under poor sanitary conditions.

Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at Hospital Jose Gregorio Hernandez in Caracas, warned that infections could become a major health threat in the coming weeks. “The issue we foresee just around the corner is the infections that patients who have been exposed to the disaster for the longest time might bring,” Cova said, noting that trauma cases have already placed a significant strain on medical facilities and that infection risks are now exacerbating the situation.

The damage to infrastructure has raised additional concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases among vulnerable populations in the most severely affected areas. Aid groups and health workers emphasize that limited access to clean water and inadequate sanitation in emergency shelters could lead to outbreaks if immediate measures are not taken.

In response to the crisis, the United States has deployed roughly 900 military personnel to Venezuela to assist in relief and rescue operations, according to Steven McLoud, a spokesperson for the U.S. military’s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The military has also repaired an earthquake-damaged runway at Venezuela’s primary international airport near Caracas to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid. Additionally, naval vessels have been positioned off Venezuela’s coast to support ongoing assistance efforts.

The scope of the disaster and the fragile state of Venezuela’s healthcare system are complicating response efforts. Medical facilities reportedly face shortages of supplies and personnel, and the infrastructure damage has hampered access to affected communities. Aid organizations continue to emphasize the urgency of addressing both immediate trauma care and the longer-term health risks posed by the current conditions.