The Secretary-General, in a statement,
expressed sadness at the loss of life and devastation caused by Venezuela's
floods, and extended his deepest condolences to the people and Government
of Venezuela, the Spokesman said.
He also assured them that the United
Nations will continue to assist in the relief and rehabilitation of affected
areas, Eckhard added, and thanked all Governments and private individuals
who have assisted Venezuela.
According to the latest situation report on the Venezuela floods issued by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the weather has considerably improved, but the massive scale of the disaster is becoming increasingly evident. The State of Vargas is the area most affected.
The number of people directly affected, according to a report by President Hugo Chavez, is approximately 80,000. Overall, 150,000 people have been affected by the floods, with many people missing. The death toll is at present is 2,000.
OCHA's Regional Disaster Response Adviser, based in Quito, Ecuador, joined the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator today to assist in the overall coordination of the response provided by the UN System and donor governments.
A list of immediate needs for medical as well as other requirements have been established and available on the OCHA website -- http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/