The official death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela last month continues to rise, as authorities plan to set up temporary housing to shelter thousands left homeless. The announcement was made Saturday by Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, brother of acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez did not specify how many people remain unaccounted for, but the United Nations estimates 50,000 are still missing. He rejected suggestions that the government would suspend the search for bodies to allay families' fears of indiscriminate rubble clearance.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes hit the capital Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira on June 24, razing entire high-rise apartment blocks. Over 850 buildings lie in ruins or are severely damaged, and more than 19,000 people have been forced into makeshift camps in sports stadiums, schools, or on sidewalks.

Schools must be vacated by September when the new academic year begins, with initial estimates indicating about 25,000 homes will be needed. Rodriguez said the government has allocated over 40 plots of land in La Guaira state, totaling approximately 584,000 square meters, for new home construction.

He warned that significant resources are needed for reconstruction, rental assistance, and property purchase loans. To this end, acting President Delcy Rodriguez this week formally requested the Bank of England release Venezuela's gold reserves. "This gold belongs to our people and should be used to serve them," she said, also asking the International Monetary Fund to release emergency financial resources.

Source: www.dw.com