The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported this Monday (29), that the number of deaths rose to 1,719 and the number of injured to 5,034 as a result of the two large earthquakes recorded on Wednesday afternoon (24), an event that he described as the greatest tragedy that the Venezuelan population and territory have ever suffered in its entire history.
The legislative authority then detailed that there are 15,866 people outside their homes, and a total of 22,619 affected people accounted for by records in our hospitals, field hospitals and triage points.
He also reported that, since the day of the disaster, there have been 611 seismic events in the region, corresponding to the two main earthquakes and 609 aftershocks. In this regard, the official noted that an aftershock of magnitude 4.2 recorded on the morning of Monday, June 29, by the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis), caused concern among residents, although it was confirmed that it did not cause material damage to the infrastructure or injuries to anyone.
Regarding the structural impact, he reported that 855 buildings were affected, of which 189 suffered complete collapse and 666 suffered partial collapse or severe damage. To deal with these problems, Jorge Rodríguez announced that the Executive Branch activated a technical-scientific commission made up of experts from national universities, the Ministry of Housing, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and housing institutions. This commission is evaluating the habitability of buildings using a technical traffic light system to determine whether the structures are salvageable or represent a total loss.
In parallel, relocation efforts are being coordinated through a temporary camps committee. Fifteen of them remain operational in the state of La Guaira, located in schools and other well-equipped institutions, while fifty have been established in Greater Caracas.
Attention to the affected population
The mobilization in the health sector covers the care of 12,402 people, of which 527 were transferred to Caracas, 4,093 received medical assistance directly in the state of La Guaira and 7,274 were treated at the different established screening posts.
“To date, 75,238 families have received assistance with hydration, food, transportation to temporary camps, psychological support, medical care and other needs. 7.237 million kilograms (kg) of food were distributed and 22,478 basic food baskets were delivered directly to La Guaira and the seven affected states,” he added.
In addition, 754,038 liters of drinking water were supplied. Rodríguez also reported that electricity service in the coastal state, the area most affected by the earthquakes and declared a disaster zone, has been restored to 90% of its capacity.
National and international support
International logistical and operational support includes the participation of 45 foreign delegations, 3,319 international rescuers, 140 search dogs, 49 support vehicles and a total of 707,063 tons of coordinated humanitarian aid, regardless of origin.
Internally, more than 30,000 employees belonging to the Police, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces and the Civil Defense are deployed in the territory, cooperating with a contingent of 10,834 civilian volunteers organized and registered in the Caracas Polyhedron.
Finally, the parliamentarian expressed his appreciation to citizens for maintaining calm and national unity in the face of the emergency, urging the population to stay informed exclusively through official channels and to ignore rumors or media manipulation strategies on social networks that aim to increase anxiety.
He reminded everyone that the free telephone line “0800 Help 01” remains active, staffed by mental health, psychology and psychiatry professionals, to provide immediate support to anyone suffering from anxiety, grief or post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
