Last week, two strong earthquakes of magnitudemagnitude/ˈmæɡnɪtjuːd/L2震级；大小；重要性a number that shows how strong an earthquake is, or the great size or importance of something 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela within 39 seconds. More than 1,700 people died, and almost 800 buildings collapsed in the northern state of La Guaira. Tens of thousands of people are still missing, and many areas have not received significant government help. On Monday, a 4.6 aftershockaftershock/ˈæftərʃɒk/L2余震a small earthquake that happens after a bigger one, usually in the same area shook the area, and it frayedfrayed/freɪd/L3紧张的，磨损的（指神经、耐心等因压力而变得脆弱或烦躁）Strained or worn, especially in reference to nerves, patience, or temper, due to stress or anxiety. nerves but caused no further damage. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called it the 'most brutal natural catastrophecatastrophe/kəˈtæstrəfi/L2灾难；大祸a terrible event that causes a lot of suffering, damage, or death' in Venezuela's history.
In La Guaira, people used crowbars and pickaxes to dig for loved ones. The government did not provide heavy equipment. Ruben Rojas, an electrician, said: 'The civil protection people decided to help, but they don't have the equipment. The government doesn't give it.' Many volunteers worked for days on a single building, but heavy machinery arrived too late. Residents were angry at the slow response, and hopes of finding more survivorssurvivors/sərˈvaɪvərz/L2幸存者people who continue to live after a dangerous event such as an earthquake or accident are fading.
International aid has arrived. The US promised more than $300 million, and the Netherlands and China also sent help. The UN is providing body bags, and teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador rescued a 21-year-old man. However, the death toll may rise, so Interim President Rodríguez said every life saved is a victory for hope. She announced a commission to assess damage, and temporary camps are being set up for displaceddisplaced/dɪsˈpleɪst/L2流离失所的；被迫离开家园的forced to leave your home, usually because of a disaster or war people.
