CARACAS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday announced the establishment of a volunteer registration center in Caracas to support emergency response efforts following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck on Wednesday.
Speaking by phone via state television, Rodriguez said the center would open at 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) at the Poliedro de Caracas arena in the capital's south. Registered volunteers would be organized according to their expertise and capacity to assist.
Rodriguez urged people not involved in rescue or security work to stay away from La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the earthquakes.
She reiterated that the restriction is intended to avoid road congestion so that security and rescue teams can reach affected areas without obstruction.
La Guaira, declared a disaster zone, has already received support from Venezuelan volunteers who traveled there to assist in rescue operations, distribute supplies and help affected residents.
Rodriguez said that, in addition to La Guaira, other regions including Caracas and the states of Miranda, Carabobo, Falcon and Aragua were also affected. However, she noted that "the greatest efforts are concentrated in La Guaira state and in Caracas."
During the call, Rodriguez added that the government is in the process of deploying international rescuers.
Rodriguez also expressed gratitude to the international community for its support, noting that rescuers have arrived from El Salvador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Ecuador, Spain, Chile, Colombia and the United States.
