Venezuela: Floods - Information Bulletin n° 1
Ten days of continuous rainfall in Venezuela has provoked serious flooding and landslides in the Federal District, as well as in the States of Miranda, Vargas, Nueva Esparta (the Island of Margarita), Yaracuy, Falcon, Carabobo, Zulia and Tachira. The number of deaths remains difficult to confirm (initial reports vary widely from an official figure of more than 700 to as many as 25,000); over 500,000 people are estimated to have been directly affected. The Government of Venezuela has declared a State of Emergency.
Red Cross/Red Crescent Action
The Venezuelan Ministry of Interior, through the National Civil Defence Authorities, are coordinating the relief operation. The Red Cross is supporting this by:
- assisting in the ongoing rescue and search operations;
- transporting the injured for medical treatment (utilising the airports of Caracas, Carlota, and Maiquetia); and
- assisting people who have taken refuge in temporary shelters by providing food parcels, blankets, clothes, and other general relief items.
Needs
The action is still mainly focused on rescue, but those made homeless require material assistance. Assessment efforts are underway, and detailed needs as well as quantities will be communicated in the coming Preliminary Appeal. There is a clear need for blankets, water purification equipment and tablets, generators, vehicles, vector control measures, and shelter material.
Santiago Gil
Director
Americas Department
Peter Rees-Gildea
Director
Operations Funding and Reporting Department