Currently more than 14,600 people remain in temporary camps as Portugal sends additional humanitarian aid.
On Monday, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez ordered the activation of a plan to resume flights at Maiquetia Airport, located in La Guaira, a state severely affected by the June 24 earthquakes.
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“I inspected the runway at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia to assess the damage caused by the double earthquake. There, I instructed the immediate activation of an alternative plan that will allow commercial flights to resume as soon as possible on the airport’s parallel runway,” she posted on social media.
“We continue working tirelessly to advance the reconstruction and recovery of the affected areas, committed to restoring infrastructure and guaranteeing essential services for our people,” the Venezuelan leader added.
According to official figures released on Monday, the earthquakes have left 3,535 people dead, 16,740 injured, 856 buildings damaged, 190 buildings collapsed, and 17,854 people homeless.
To respond to the emergency, the Venezuelan government has been implementing a comprehensive operation involving 29,567 public personnel, 27,930 volunteers, and 4,338 international rescue workers. This joint effort has made it possible to rescue 6,462 people and assist 86,794 affected families.
More Than 14,600 People Remain in 87 Camps
On Tuesday, Education Minister Hector Rodriguez confirmed that 14,634 people are staying in 87 temporary camps, which have a capacity of 20,227 citizens.
La Guaira has the largest concentration of displaced residents, with 8,613 people housed in 26 camps, eight of which are under expansion.
In Caracas, the country’s capital, 39 temporary camps have been established with a capacity of 11,192 spaces, of which 4,961 are occupied by affected residents.
In Miranda state, 22 camps remain in operation with a capacity of 2,003 spaces and are currently sheltering 1,060 people.
Multilateral institutions, public institutions, companies and community organizations are working together to expand logistical and human capabilities, ensuring that every family receives as much support as possible.
People affected by the earthquakes in La Guaira are currently staying in other regions of the country that did not suffer significant damage, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
Portugal Sends Plane with Humanitarian Aid
On Tuesday, Portugal’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the shipment of two ambulances and more than 13 tons of hygiene supplies, sanitation materials and tools for debris removal.
The shipment represents “a new phase of humanitarian intervention,” as Portuguese specialists will return to their homeland after participating in search, rescue and first aid missions in the Caribbean country.
The supplies will be transported under the European Civil Protection Mechanism on two Portuguese Air Force flights scheduled to arrive in Caracas on Wednesday.
Those flights will also bring back the personnel who were part of the Joint National Operational Force, composed of about 60 people.
Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities Emidio Sousa will lead the Portuguese aid mission and will hold “political contacts and meetings with the Portuguese community.”
“Portugal remains attentive to the evolution of the situation and stands ready to provide the necessary support, in coordination with the Venezuelan authorities, international organizations and partners on the ground,” the Portuguese Foreign Ministry emphasized.
Besides sending supplies, Portugal has activated a rapid-response instrument managed by The Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language, with 400,000 euros in funding for the immediate implementation of two projects promoted by Caritas and Oikos aimed at ensuring access to essential goods and support services.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: Presidential Press – EFE
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