In a display of global solidarity that would make a UN brochure blush, more than 2,000 rescue workers from 27 countries have descended on Venezuela to dig through rubble following Wednesday's twin earthquakes. The United Nations, ever the helpful neighbor, is coordinating the effort.

The death toll, which keeps climbing like a stubborn stock ticker, now surpasses 1,400. Meanwhile, a preliminary assessment estimates the direct physical damage at a cool $6.7 billion - because nothing says 'disaster' like a price tag with nine zeros.

At the Venezuelan government's request, 44 international urban search and rescue (USAR) teams have deployed 2,245 specialists and 140 search dogs to locate survivors and provide initial medical care, according to a Saturday report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA has activated its emergency response mechanisms, which is bureaucratese for 'we're on it.'