More than 1,700 people have died and tens of thousands are believed missing after last week's devastating earthquakes

A preliminary estimate from the United Nations Development Programme put the cost of direct physical damage caused by the quakes at $6.7 billion.

Tens of thousands of people are still thought to be missing in Venezuela after Wednesday's earthquakes, although they are still searching for survivors.

Venezuelans are desperately searching for survivors after powerful earthquakes, with hopes fading as days pass. The cash-strapped government faces immense pressure to manage the…