The United Nations is 'fully mobilized' to provide assistance in quake-hit Venezuela, the UN's aid chief said Thursday, stressing the response would require'massive collective efforts'. Venezuela's strongest earthquake since 1900 killed at least 164 people as it destroyed multiple buildings near the capital.
UN's Immediate Response
'We are fully mobilized to support the people of Venezuela,' UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said in a statement. He said he had spoken Thursday morning with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, and 'we are assessing urgently what is needed'.
International Coordination
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA was meanwhile 'coordinating the rapid deployment of urban search and rescue teams from across the international community', Fletcher said. 'I am surging a rapid response team to reinforce the OCHA team in country,' he added.
Call for Collective Effort
Fletcher welcomed the international outpouring of aid and assistance already on display. 'The coming days will require a massive collective effort to support the Government-led response and help communities,' he said.
Existing Vulnerabilities
The UN aid chief pointed out that even before the earthquakes hit west of the capital Caracas Wednesday evening, nearly eight million people in Venezuela were in need of humanitarian support. 'This disaster risks deepening existing vulnerabilities,' he warned.
