Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Passes 5,000, IMF Provides $346 Million for Rebuilding

More than 5,000 people have died in the twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela last month, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The quakes struck on June 24, less than a minute apart, devastating the coastal state of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas. The government said it will access $346 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support reconstruction efforts. Venezuela, which has been facing a severe economic crisis, has limited access to international credit. The IMF funds are part of a special facility for disaster relief. The earthquakes caused widespread damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. Rescue teams have been working for weeks to search for survivors and recover bodies. Many people remain missing, and thousands have been left homeless. The government declared a state of emergency in affected areas. International aid has started to arrive, but the scale of destruction is immense. The twin quakes are among the deadliest natural disasters in Venezuela's recent history. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage. The IMF funds are expected to help rebuild essential services and housing. However, critics question the government's ability to manage the funds given past corruption. The government has promised transparency in the use of the money.