Venezuela Earthquake: Death Toll Rises to 4,490; Widespread Housing Reconstruction Efforts Underway

Caracas: The death toll from the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 4,490, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said.

International Rescuers Join Domestic Forces As Volunteers Shift Focus To Housing Repairs

Rodriguez on Sunday noted in a daily update on social media that the number of injured remained at 16,740, while the number of people receiving assistance rose to 120,794. Authorities have set up 108 temporary camps and shelters for those left homeless.

A total of 31,837 Venezuelan personnel remain deployed for disaster response, supported by 2,422 international rescuers, Xinhua news agency reported.

Venezuela has recorded 1,222 aftershocks since the twin earthquakes, the update said.

Earlier on Saturday, Rodriguez said about 30,000 volunteers had signed up to help victims during the critical phase of the disaster and that the government had proposed involving them in home construction and repair.

Unified Housing Registry Launched To Expedite Financial Aid And Relief For Quake Victims

As many families remain homeless, Rodriguez said the government had launched a Unified Housing Registry, which will serve both as a census and as a database for state-ordered financial assistance to quake victims.

He said the government needed to move quickly to provide housing for those who had lost their homes permanently and to repair homes that were partially damaged.

The government also plans to set up camps with single-family transitional housing “while permanent homes are being built,” Rodriguez said.

He added that the National Assembly would move ahead with reforming the rental law and promoting a credit and subsidy system to help quake-affected families buy homes.

Regarding Venezuelan funds frozen abroad due to economic sanctions by the United States and other countries, Rodriguez said acting President Delcy Rodriguez had sent letters to various governments requesting the release of those assets.

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