The devastation caused by Venezuela’s twin earthquakes will ultimately be measured not only by the number of lives lost, but by what the disaster reveals about the strength ~ or weakness ~ of the institutions expected to protect citizens when catastrophe strikes. Natural disasters are acts of nature. Humanitarian disasters are often shaped by the quality of governance, preparedness and the capacity to respond when every minute determines whether someone lives or dies.

The immediate priority remains the same across affected regions: finding survivors before hope disappears beneath the rubble. Every hour reduces the chances of rescue, making heavy equipment, trained personnel and coordination more valuable than expressions of sympathy. The sight of families keeping vigil beside collapsed buildings, listening for the faintest sign of life, underlines a painful reality. For those waiting, the difference between survival and tragedy is often measured in the speed and scale of the rescue effort. Yet the crisis is already moving beyond search-and-rescue operations. Thousands have been displaced, hospitals are under immense strain, and essential infrastructure has suffered extensive damage. The challenge is no longer confined to pulling........

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