'Pre-existing vulnerabilities: Venezuela already experiencing economic turmoil, displacement crisis'

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Elinor Raikes. Vice President and Head of Program Delivery at the International Rescue Committee.

According to Raikes, earthquakes expose and amplify the vulnerabilities that already exist beneath the surface of a society.

She suggests that the devastation unfolding in Venezuela is not solely the consequence of seismic forces, but the collision of a major natural disaster exacerbated by economic collapse, displacement, weakened public services, and shrinking humanitarian funding.

Rakes warns the earthquake is not a short-term emergency but rather the beginning of a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

She emphasises the logistical obstacles confronting aid agencies, the importance of coordination between international and local organisations, and the reality that recovery will be measured in months rather than weeks.