UN humanitarians step up quake relief efforts in Venezuela

UN humanitarians continue to scale up support for communities devastated by last month's earthquakes in Venezuela, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).



OCHA said it continues to coordinate the complex relief efforts in the South American country. More than 100 aid organizations have reported carrying out over 2,200 response activities, from the delivery of hot meals to the distribution of tents, across 14 states, to support people affected by the earthquakes and address pre-existing needs.



OCHA and partners have coordinated the receipt and distribution of over 525 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including food, health items, shelter support, and water and sanitation assistance. Relief efforts remain concentrated in La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the earthquakes, said the office.



Venezuelan authorities report that nearly 5,000 people have been killed and more than 16,700 injured since the earthquakes struck on June 24.