The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, reported in the early hours of this Saturday (27) that 60% of the electricity supply has already been restored in La Guaira, the state most affected by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that hit the country last Wednesday (24). According to her, the government’s priority continues to be the rescue of people who remain under the rubble.
Speaking at the operation’s central command post, Rodríguez stated that the first 72 hours after the tragedy are decisive in saving lives. “The most strategic thing is the process of rescuing people who are still alive. This is our priority”, he declared. The interim president also informed that teams are working to restore the water supply and guarantee the supply of food to the affected population.
Rodríguez also announced that new international rescue missions should arrive in the country in the coming hours. According to her, ten countries will join the operations between this Saturday and Sunday, reinforcing the foreign teams already operating in Venezuela.
The tragedy has already left 920 dead and 3,360 injured, according to the most recent report released by Venezuelan authorities.
According to an estimate presented this Saturday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an agency of the United Nations (UN), up to 6.76 million people may have been affected by the earthquakes of June 24. The calculation considers population and damage analyzes and includes around 2 million inhabitants of Caracas.
Since Wednesday’s earthquakes, more than 300 aftershocks have been recorded, which mainly hit the states of La Guaira and Caracas, in addition to causing damage in Aragua, Miranda, Carabobo, Falcón and Yaracuy. A new earthquake registered on Friday night (26) reached a magnitude of 4.7, according to information from the United States Geological Survey.
Restricted access to La Guaira
To facilitate the search and care for victims, the government has restricted civilian access to La Guaira since Friday night. The Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, explained that the measure seeks to avoid congestion that hinders the circulation of ambulances and emergency vehicles.
According to Cabello, volunteers and professionals who wish to work in the region must register in advance at the logistics center installed in the Poliedro de Caracas and follow the protocols defined by the authorities. More than 14,000 military and police personnel were mobilized to control access, ensure security and support rescue operations.
The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, also asked the population to avoid traveling to La Guaira. According to him, the best way to collaborate is not to overload access roads, allowing emergency teams to travel and transport patients.
Brazil expands humanitarian aid with three FAB flights
Brazil is among the countries that reinforced the international response to the earthquakes in Venezuela. The first flight of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), authorized by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, carried a humanitarian mission made up of firefighters, National Civil Defense agents, specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) and equipment for searching and rescuing victims.
This Saturday morning, a second flight departed from Rio de Janeiro with a Navy field hospital, 100 water purifiers with the capacity to treat up to 5,000 liters per day each and 48 military personnel to expand care for victims and assist in the recovery of basic infrastructure.
A third flight is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with medicines, medical supplies and new equipment for rescue operations.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
