KUALA LUMPUR: Venezuela has appealed to Malaysia for assistance to support its disaster recovery efforts following powerful earthquakes last month that left over 3,000 people dead and thousands more injured.
The Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Malaysia, Radamés Gómez Azuaje, said the government welcomed all forms of assistance, particularly medical supplies and equipment, which are among the most urgently needed items, as many victims were trapped under the rubble and suffered severe injuries.
"We have seen many victims requiring amputations, so the immediate priority is to receive medicines and equipment needed to treat trauma-related emergencies,” he said on Bernama TV’s programme Bernama World, on Monday (July 6).
He added that despite the devastation, the Venezuelan government remains steadfast in protecting lives and supporting affected families.
"We have 17,000 people homeless because of the earthquakes. (The priority is) guaranteeing the people a safe place to live after this and continuing the search and rescue operations.
"So, everything that can contribute to achieving these objectives is welcome,” he said.
He said Venezuela has established a joint presidential commission to assess existing infrastructure and determine whether buildings that remain structurally sound can be safely reoccupied.
Azuaje said that the government is also implementing a special fund using money previously frozen at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finance recovery and reconstruction plans, while also identifying housing solutions for those affected.
"The situation is that the Venezuelan government continues working on the ground with specialised rescue teams that have come to Venezuela to support the government, together with local rescue teams and volunteers working actively to save lives.
"The government is determined to protect and support the people by providing all the technical, medical and psychological assistance, as well as food. We have distributed 10,000 tonnes of food to the affected people,” he said.
Azuaje said Venezuela is working closely with the United Nations (UN) and international partners to coordinate humanitarian assistance and recovery plans, including food distribution and emergency response.
On June 24, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck the South American nation 39 seconds apart, leaving 3,342 people dead and 16,740 people injured in northern Venezuela. - Bernama
