CARACAS — The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,333, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The authorities also reported that 16,740 people had been injured and about 17,000 people were left homeless following the disaster. The earthquakes, which struck Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, caused widespread destruction and brought down buildings and homes in several communities. Emergency teams from Venezuela and other countries have been involved in search, rescue and recovery operations since the disaster. Authorities said 6,462 people had been rescued during the response. Search operations were still continuing at several sites where rescuers believed there could be survivors. The government also reported that hundreds of buildings had been affected, with some suffering complete or partial structural collapse. The scale of the destruction has created a major humanitarian challenge. Thousands of people have been forced to live in temporary camps established in stadiums, public spaces and other areas. Families living in these camps require food, water, medical assistance and shelter while authorities assess damaged communities. The government has begun planning for longer-term reconstruction. Officials said the first housing units for affected families were expected to be allocated as reconstruction efforts progressed. Authorities estimated that tens of thousands of homes would ultimately be needed to accommodate people who lost their houses in the earthquakes. Rebuilding after a major earthquake is a complex process because damaged structures must first be assessed to determine whether they can be repaired or need to be demolished. Infrastructure such as roads, water systems, electricity networks and hospitals may also require extensive repairs. The disaster has placed significant pressure on emergency services. Hospitals have treated large numbers of injured people while medical teams have worked in temporary facilities. Volunteers and international rescue teams have also contributed to the response. Earthquakes can produce secondary risks after the initial shock, including aftershocks, damaged buildings and landslides. Authorities have therefore had to balance the need to continue searching for survivors with the safety of rescuers and displaced residents. Officials reported that more than a thousand aftershocks had occurred since the main earthquakes. The continuing seismic activity has complicated rescue and recovery operations. The disaster has also created a major economic burden for Venezuela. Thousands of homes and commercial buildings have been damaged, while families have lost property and livelihoods. Rebuilding will require significant public resources and assistance from international partners. The government has identified areas where new housing could be constructed for displaced families. The challenge will be to ensure that reconstruction meets safety standards and provides residents with access to essential services. For families still searching for missing relatives, the recovery process remains deeply uncertain. Authorities have said that search operations will continue while there is still a possibility of finding survivors. The death toll could change as rescue teams examine damaged structures and identify victims. The Venezuelan government has also appealed for support as it manages the humanitarian consequences of the disaster. International assistance can provide medical supplies, rescue equipment, temporary shelter and technical expertise. The earthquake response demonstrates the importance of disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure, particularly in areas vulnerable to seismic activity. Building codes, emergency planning and public awareness can reduce casualties during future disasters. For Venezuela, however, the immediate priority remains saving lives, treating the injured and providing shelter for people who lost their homes. The rising death toll has made the June 24 earthquakes one of the country's most devastating recent disasters. As search operations continue, authorities face the difficult task of responding to immediate humanitarian needs while beginning the long process of rebuilding communities destroyed by the earthquakes.