The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that Venezuela could suffer up to US$67 billion in economic losses if major earthquakes strike, highlighting the country’s significant vulnerability to seismic disasters.
According to a new UNDP risk assessment, the potential impact extends far beyond physical destruction. Damage to housing, healthcare facilities, transport networks, public infrastructure, and productive sectors could have long-term consequences for the national economy and millions of people’s livelihoods.
The report emphasizes that investing in disaster risk reduction can dramatically reduce both human and economic losses. Strengthening resilient infrastructure, improving urban planning, expanding early warning systems, and enhancing emergency preparedness are identified as key priorities.
UNDP also calls for stronger cooperation between governments, local authorities, and international partners to integrate disaster risk management into development planning. Such investments not only help save lives but also protect economic stability and support long-term sustainable development.
Experts stress that as urbanization and environmental pressures continue to grow, building resilience before disasters occur is far more cost-effective than rebuilding after catastrophic events.
