One week after twin powerful earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, the country is confronting one of the worst natural disasters in its modern history, with rescue workers continuing to search through collapsed buildings as the humanitarian crisis grows more severe.

As the country deals with a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions, there is growing criticism of the government of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez for its lack of preparedness and response.

The June 24 earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck within seconds of one another with epicenters in Yaracuy state.

The tremors were felt across much of Venezuela, but La Guaira state suffered the heaviest destruction.

According to Venezuelan authorities, at least 2,295 people have been confirmed dead as of Wednesday, with more than 10,000 injured.

Tens of thousands remain unaccounted for, leading United Nations officials to warn that the death toll is expected to rise significantly as search operations continue.

The U.N. estimates that as many as 6.8 million people have been displaced and may require humanitarian assistance, while NASA satellite analysis indicates that nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla described the disaster as a growing humanitarian catastrophe, warning that hospitals, water systems, shelters and sanitation infrastructure are under enormous strain.

Residents in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods have spent days digging through concrete with little more than hand tools, often searching for relatives themselves.

International rescue teams have joined Venezuelan responders, leading to several dramatic rescues, including that of a 3-year-old child pulled alive from the rubble nearly a week after the earthquakes.

However, the government's emergency response has come under increasing criticism from residents, opposition figures and some aid workers.

According to reporting by NPR, residents in affected communities alleged that rescue crews and volunteer doctors encountered delays reaching disaster zones because of police checkpoints and permit requirements.

Some residents argued those delays reduced the chances of locating survivors during the critical first 72 hours after the earthquakes.

Construction worker Julio Meléndez told NPR that bringing equipment into one disaster area required two days of administrative approvals, while resident Rosalia Bustamante said survivors were heard calling for help shortly after the collapse of a residential building but were not reached in time.

Thousands of volunteers have instead organized neighborhood rescue efforts, often recovering victims themselves while awaiting additional heavy equipment.

The disaster has also renewed debate over Venezuela's construction standards and disaster preparedness.

Engineers and urban planning experts have long warned that years of underinvestment, inadequate enforcement of building regulations and aging infrastructure left many structures vulnerable to major seismic activity.

Critics argue successive governments dating back to the Chávez era failed to modernize building codes sufficiently or invest in comprehensive earthquake preparedness, although the extent to which those factors contributed to individual building collapses will require formal engineering investigations.

The Rodriguez administration has pledged to establish temporary housing, rebuild damaged communities and assess structural safety across affected regions.

Officials have announced plans to construct replacement housing and coordinate reconstruction efforts while accepting international humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, aid has begun arriving from the United States, the European Union, Latin American countries and international humanitarian organizations, including search-and-rescue teams, medical personnel, emergency supplies and financial assistance.

Despite those efforts, enormous challenges remain.

Entire neighborhoods remain in ruins, hospitals continue to operate under extraordinary pressure, and thousands of families are still searching for missing loved ones.

For many Venezuelans, the disaster has evolved beyond a natural catastrophe into a prolonged humanitarian emergency whose full human and economic costs may not be known for months.

Key impacts of the disaster:

• Confirmed deaths: 2,295 and rising.
• Injured: More than 10,000 people.
• Missing: Tens of thousands remain unaccounted for.
• Buildings damaged or destroyed: Approximately 58,870.
• People affected: Up to 6.8 million.
• Displaced residents: Thousands are sleeping in parks, sidewalks, sports fields and temporary shelters.
• Healthcare: Numerous hospitals have been damaged or are operating beyond capacity.
• Utilities: Many communities face shortages of drinking water, electricity, sanitation and medical supplies.
• Disease concerns: U.N. agencies warn of increasing risks of infectious disease outbreaks.