More than five weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, the United Nations says humanitarian operations have expanded, with about 200,000 people receiving emergency assistance.
Speaking at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said relief efforts were being carried out through coordinated action involving the UN, humanitarian partners, local communities and the Venezuelan authorities.
“Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that 200,000 people have received humanitarian assistance and essential services through the joint efforts of the UN, our partners, local communities and the authorities.
“This support includes hot meals, healthcare, safe water, shelter, legal and psychological support for women, children and vulnerable groups as families begin the long process of rebuilding their lives,’’ he said.
Haq added that humanitarian teams had reported the launch of a joint needs assessment by the Venezuelan government and UN partners to shape recovery, reconstruction and development plans in the coming months.
“With the Humanitarian Response Plan currently just 42 per cent funded, sustained international support will be essential so that humanitarian organisations can continue helping communities in the months ahead,” Haq added.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s official death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck the country’s north-central region on June 24 has risen to 6,125, according to a reconstruction bulletin released late Monday.
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Authorities said assessments of damaged homes were continuing but warned that thousands of houses remained unsafe more than five weeks after the disaster.
The latest bulletin, the first official casualty update in 10 days, recorded 579 additional deaths, raising the toll from the 5,546 reported on July 24.
The revised figures highlight that the human impact of the disaster is still increasing more than five weeks after the earthquakes.
