The Playa Grande baseball stadium in Venezuela, once a venue for sporting events, now serves as a sprawling emergency shelter for families displaced by the recent earthquakes that have rattled the country.
Daniela Jaramillo and her relatives arrived at the stadium after their home was damaged, joining dozens of others who have turned the concrete bleachers into makeshift sleeping quarters.
The conditions are stark: temperatures soar, rain has soaked tents, and the air is heavy with the smell of damp canvas, yet the community persists, sharing stories of survival and even celebrating the birth of five puppies to Daniela's dog just two days after they arrived.
Search and rescue teams continue their tireless work, pulling survivors from the rubble as recently as the previous night, underscoring the ongoing danger and the urgency of the response.
Humanitarian response
The United Nations and its partners have established three designated aid hubs that deliver food, shelter and medical assistance to the displaced.
The World Food Programme has already reached 2,000 people in La Guaira, distributing ready‑to‑eat rations and operating a communal kitchen within the stadium grounds.
The International Organization for Migration is coordinating shelter management and registration of displaced persons, while UNHCR provides protection, data management and psychosocial support.
UNICEF contributes psychosocial programs for children and supports efforts to restore a sense of normalcy amid the crisis.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the resilience of the Venezuelan people shines through, as neighbors help each other, share limited supplies and maintain hope for a return to stability.