On June 26, 2026, I joined Canal 13’s morning show to analyze the humanitarian and operational situation in Venezuela following a double earthquake that has claimed a preliminary toll of over 580 lives. With the first 72 hours being critical for search and rescue operations, the conversation covered three key dimensions of Disaster Risk Management.
1. Governance and Response Protocols
The region’s low historical seismic recurrence has meant that earthquake-preparedness culture is underdeveloped. Combined with institutional fragility, this has led to information gaps, rumor propagation, and high-risk actions — such as the premature use of heavy machinery in collapsed structures. When official information is absent, uncertainty fills the void.
2. International Cooperation and Chile’s Role
Chile’s USAR team — UN-certified and one of the first accredited units to deploy — carries a dual mission: specialized technical rescue with full medical and logistical autonomy, and the responsibility of establishing the international coordination structure for incoming teams from the United States, Colombia, and Europe.
3. Post-Disaster Resilience and Reconstruction
Beyond the immediate response, the long-term challenge for the region is reconstruction that does not replicate pre-existing vulnerability. Chile has a historic opportunity — and a technical obligation — to support capacity transfer: from strengthening seismic building codes to community-level emergency training.
As specialists, our commitment must remain firm: to turn the lessons of theoretical resilience into practical tools that save lives. Our solidarity goes out to the Venezuelan people in this deeply painful moment.
4DRR.com 