The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a $98 million appeal on Friday to support families and communities affected by the earthquakes that hit Venezuela last month.

More than 3,500 people died and 16,740 were injured. UN data indicates that thousands of facilities were damaged, including dozens of schools, undermining access to essential services such as medical care, water supply and transport systems.

The IOM appeal will fund the agency's response plan for the next 12 months. The initiative seeks resources to provide safe and dignified shelter, life-saving assistance, support early recovery efforts and help affected communities rebuild in the coming months.

According to Lia Poggio, head of IOM's mission in Venezuela, "this appeal will help ensure that families receive the assistance they need, including a place to stay, while allowing communities to move past the emergency phase, rebuild essential services and lay the groundwork for a safe and lasting recovery."

So far, IOM has assisted nearly 6,000 people in collective sites under its coordination and carried out more than 10,000 services, including temporary accommodation, health care and protection assistance.

The appeal focuses on priority areas such as shelter and site coordination, early recovery, and health for immediate relief and safe, dignified recovery.

Since the emergency began, IOM has been cooperating with Venezuelan authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners to support people affected by the earthquakes. The agency has managed collective shelters, provided health and protection assistance, led coordination efforts at these sites, and helped displaced families access essential services.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes on June 24 and their aftershocks caused extensive damage across several states, including La Guaira, Miranda, Carabobo, Aragua and Falcón. The impact of the tremors was felt in northern Brazil.

Thousands of families were displaced, while damage to homes, health facilities, water supply systems and other critical infrastructure severely compromised access to essential services.