Aftershocks continue as Venezuela toll nears 4,500; government launches housing registry

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

Rodriguez said the number of injured remained at 16,740, while 120,794 people were receiving assistance. Authorities have established 108 temporary camps and shelters for those left homeless.

A total of 31,837 Venezuelan personnel remain deployed for disaster response, backed by 2,422 international rescuers, Xinhua reported. Venezuela has recorded 1,222 aftershocks since the twin quakes.

Rodriguez said about 30,000 volunteers had signed up to help during the critical phase and that the government intends to involve them in home construction and repairs. To identify and assist displaced families, officials launched a Unified Housing Registry to serve as a census and a database for state financial aid.

He said the government must act quickly to provide housing for those who lost homes permanently and to repair partially damaged houses. Plans include setting up camps with single-family transitional housing while permanent homes are built.

The National Assembly will pursue reforms to the rental law and promote credit and subsidy programmes to help quake-affected families buy homes, Rodriguez added.

On frozen Venezuelan assets held abroad, Rodriguez said acting President Delcy Rodriguez has written to several governments seeking the release of funds restricted by international sanctions.

(Inputs from IANS)