SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Frantic search and rescue operations continue in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday. More than 900 people are dead, with thousands more injured and missing. Aid is flowing in from around the world, including the U.S., but given the scope of the damages and the country's fledgling economy, the needs on the ground remain acute. Karol Bassim is a senior program manager with International Medical Corps' emergency response unit. She joins us from Caracas. Thanks so much for being with us.
KAROL BASSIM: Thank you so much, Scott.
SIMON: I understand you've been visiting some of the hardest-hit sites. What have you seen?
BASSIM: Yeah. We have. We visited one of the most affected area, which is called La Guaira. What has struck us is the scale of loss, like families searching for loved ones, people standing in front of what used to be their homes. And the community is trying to support each other while in - still in shock. The level of suffering is heartbreaking.
In many areas, there's definitely widespread destruction. Homes, buildings, essential services are damaged or completely collapsed. Majority are without food, drinking water, shelter or access to basic healthcare. We have visited communities and hospitals. Hospitals are overwhelmed. Some are operating far beyond capacity. Health workers are definitely exhausted. And many of them have lost their homes and - or, you know, family members, and they continue to show up every day to save lives. We are seeing many trauma injuries, fractures - severe fractures, wounds. The hospitals are well beyond capacity.
SIMON: How hard has it been to get aid in?
BASSIM: So far, we've sourced locally. We have purchased medical supplies and, you know, nonmedical supplies locally for now. That's how we've been operating.
SIMON: Has it been difficult for rescue workers and aid workers to get into affected areas?
BASSIM: Yes. It has been difficult, especially in the area that we have visited. Not all roads are accessible.
SIMON: I gather you've been in touch with some U.S. State Department-assisted teams on site. Where are you and your colleagues trying to direct the aid right now?
BASSIM: In La Guaira and the hospitals operating in La Guaira and Catia La Mar.
SIMON: What would you say are the most critical needs right now? Maybe everything, is what it sounds like - food, water?
BASSIM: Yeah. You know, medical care, trauma care, essential medicines, surgical supplies and infection prevention materials. People are urgently in need of food, water, shelter, hygiene items. Additional safe space to treat patients is really critical. And at community level, people need help with search and rescue. They need shelter. They need medical support, basic protection. There's a huge need in terms of supplies, in terms of medical emergency lifesaving services.
SIMON: Well, 'cause I know your humanitarian group has been operating in Venezuela for years, and the healthcare system has been on the brink of collapsing even before these earthquakes. What would be the best way for international aid groups and people who just want to help to actually help the healthcare system and healthcare workers right now?
BASSIM: What we're trying to do is we're trying to support those hospitals and communities. We're deploying mobile medical units to help decongest overwhelmed trauma. We're delivering medicines, essential supplies. Also, we're bringing clean water since those health facilities, those hospitals - key hospitals - do not have access to water. We have two large field hospitals prepositioned, and we - they're ready to be deployed to significantly expand trauma care capacity. We are working with the ministry of health to identify suitable sites and to coordinate the arrival of these supplies and pallets.
SIMON: Karol Bassim is with the International Medical Corps, speaking with us from Caracas. Thanks so much.
BASSIM: Thank you so much. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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