CARACAS, Oct 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Venezuela and UNICEF held a meeting here on Tuesday to extend aid to communities hit by mudslides and floods from last week’s tropical storm Julia.
Minister of Education Yelitze Santaella tweeted that at a meeting with UNICEF representative Abubacar Sultan, they discussed the “development of a joint comprehensive plan to get aid to the areas affected by the climate event.”
The storm’s passage through northern Venezuela caused severe flooding, casualties and material losses, especially in the town of Las Tejerias in the state of Aragua.
On Tuesday, Culture Minister Ernesto Villegas told reporters that the country’s network of public libraries and state-run bookstores will serve as donation centers.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said “rescue work for those missing” will continue.
According to official figures, the mudslides and flooding in Las Tejerias has claimed 39 lives so far and over 50 people remain missing.
Minister for Internal Relations, Justice, and Peace Remigio Ceballos said the Venezuelan government has distributed 300 tons of food and water in the affected area, adding that more than 3,000 members of police and fire departments, the Civil Protection agency and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces have been deployed to help with the recovery efforts.
Earlier, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that 317 homes have been completely destroyed and 757 damaged in the town of Las Tejerias, where the tragedy occurred.
While electricity has been restored, potable water service is still out of order, she said. — NNN-XINHUA
