The UN says response continues to expand more than five weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, as 200,000 people have received humanitarian assistance.

UN deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, gave the update at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

“Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that 200,000 people have received humanitarian assistance and essential services through the joint efforts of the UN, our partners, local communities and the authorities.

“This support includes hot meals, healthcare, safe water, shelter, legal and psychological support for women, children and vulnerable groups as families begin the long process of rebuilding their lives,’’ he said.

Mr Haq said the humanitarian colleagues also reported that the Venezuelan government and the UN partners had launched a needs assessment to help guide recovery, reconstruction and development efforts in the months ahead.

“With the Humanitarian Response Plan currently just 42 per cent funded, sustained international support will be essential so that humanitarian organisations can continue helping communities in the months ahead,” Mr Haq added.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s official death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the country’s north-central region on June 24 has climbed to 6,125, according to a reconstruction bulletin released late Monday.

Authorities reported continued progress in evaluating damaged homes while warning that thousands of residences remained unsafe more than five weeks after the disaster.

The update, issued after a 10-day gap in official casualty reporting, added 579 deaths to the previous toll of 5,546 announced on July 24.

This underscores the fact that the human cost of the disaster continues to mount more than five weeks after the earthquakes struck.

(NAN)