No basic services and nowhere to go: How these Venezuelans are living a month after the earthquakes

One month after earthquakes devastated the La Guaira state in Venezuela, thousands of residents find themselves in a dire situation. At the Brisas de Maiquetía housing development, families are living in tents surrounded by damaged buildings that locals fear are structurally unsound. The government previously promised aid, yet residents describe the response as sparse and insufficient. International support has been difficult to secure, leaving many to rely on self-installed power and filtration systems provided by non-governmental organizations.

Conditions inside the complex are deteriorating. Over 3,000 residents share limited public restrooms, and a lack of clean water has become a primary health concern. People describe a constant fear of aftershocks that could cause the already cracked infrastructure to collapse entirely. Despite these risks, many remain in the area because they have no other place to go. The closure of local businesses and infrastructure, including the nearby airport, has halted the local economy, leaving residents without jobs or the means to relocate.

While officials have estimated that some units might be habitable by 2027, the families currently sheltering in tents express little confidence in these timelines. The government has directed residents back into the buildings, but the cracks in load-bearing beams and walls persist. Looting has also plagued the region, forcing residents to keep a constant watch over their remaining belongings while living in temporary structures.

Humanitarian concerns are growing as reports of potential disease outbreaks due to stagnant water emerge. Residents emphasize that they require basic necessities like clean water, proper medical support, and structural repairs rather than temporary photo opportunities from officials. As the weeks pass, the people of La Guaira feel increasingly abandoned, waiting for a recovery plan that addresses their immediate survival needs.