The death toll from Venezuela's twin quakes has climbed to 3,342, based on figures issued by the Venezuelan information ministry on Sunday.

The updated count lists 16,470 injured and 17,345 people left without homes.

Earlier on the holiday marking Venezuela's 215th independence anniversary, President Delcy Rodriguez spoke out in support of the government's response to the disaster, facing rising public anger over claims of slow and insufficient aid.

Rodriguez noted that security forces were sent out right away and revealed plans for a fresh military group focused on handling crises and disasters.

People from many backgrounds, such as survivors, relatives, volunteer medics and overseas rescue crews, have rushed to the hardest-hit zones since the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes hit on June 24.

On Saturday, officials reported that close to 30,000 personnel were active in the field along with 3,281 foreign rescue workers assisting quake victims.

State sources confirm that nearly 200 structures have fully collapsed.

Over 41,000 missing after earthquakes

Some displaced residents stay in government shelters while others use temporary tent sites. An informal count of those unaccounted for hovers just above 41,000.

The field hospital, set up through US State Department ties with multiple aid groups in Venezuela, has cared for around 400 patients to date, according to medical director Peter Holz, with nearly 30 surgeries completed by Saturday evening.

"At first the cases are all quake-related trauma, followed by later surgical check-ups," Holz said while inside the pharmacy tent built on a former baseball field.

Over time the 100-person Samaritan's Purse team will transfer duties to local physicians, either keeping the site running or moving gear and supplies into nearby clinics for permanent use, he explained.

"It will shift more toward a community health center," Holz noted. "There are many sad stories but also much hope throughout."

Rescue workers and international groups digging through rubble continue to describe the official response as slow and weak, citing delays in food and medical deliveries plus a shortage of heavy equipment needed to clear debris during searches.