Financing Venezuela’s Future in the Aftermath of Disaster

The double earthquakes of June 24 accentuated a year of profound change in Venezuela. What was already a significant undertaking by the interim government in collaboration with the U.S. administration to address years of economic mismanagement and infrastructural deterioration, has become even more urgent in the face of a tragedy that has claimed thousands of lives and livelihoods while causing economic damages of up to $37 billion, per early estimates. But, as the world rallies in support of Venezuela, can this disaster present an opportunity to attract the resources needed to accelerate the country’s long-term reconstruction? In this episode of Latin America in Focus, AS/COA’s Luisa Leme talks to representatives from two organizations that have been responding to Venezuela’s humanitarian and financial challenges for years: the **International Rescue Committee (IRC)** and **CAF – The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.** **Rafael Velasquez Garcia**, who leads the IRC’s emergency response in Venezuela, explains the earthquakes add another 1.4 million people in need of humanitarian attention to the almost 8 million whom aid organizations had identified before June 24. Combined with rebuilding thousands of structures and repairing the water and power supply, it’s a financing challenge CAF’s **Ángel Cárdenas Sosa** says multilateral development banks are working around the clock to meet and which will require the support of the public and private sectors. *This episode was produced by Associate Producer Khalea Robertson. Luisa Leme is the podcast’s executive producer and this week’s host.*  *See information on how to donate to CAF’s Recovery and Reconstruction Fund:* https://www.caf.com/en/specials/recovery-and-reconstruction-fund-for-venezuela/ *and how to support the IRC’s work in Venezuela:* https://www.rescue.org/article/how-help-survivors-earthquakes-venezuela *For more details on the earthquakes, the response from U.S. and regional governments, and other organizations you can support, read AS/COA Online’s coverage:* https://www.as-coa.org/articles/venezuelas-twin-earthquakes-what-happened-relief-efforts-and-how-help *If you enjoyed this episode, write us a review and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice. Send us feedback:* [*latamfocus@as-coa.org*](mailto:latamfocus@as-coa.org)    *The music in the podcast is “*Norwegian Wood*” performed by the C4 Trio for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org. Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society.* Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. Follow us on social media: X: @ASCOA Instagram: @ascoa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/ Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/