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| Venezuela coastal state of La Guaira after earthquake |
The death toll from the earthquake that struck Venezuela two weeks ago has risen to 3,535, according to official figures released on Monday.
Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Venezuela on June 24, followed by a series of weaker aftershocks. The coastal state of La Guaira was among the hardest hit, and thousands of people remain missing.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the United Nations and its partners are continuing to expand the scope of assistance provided to those affected.
The office added in a statement that some search and rescue teams are still working on the ground, while specialized support teams, from medical to engineering, continue to arrive in Venezuela. It noted that basic services, including electricity and communications, are being gradually restored.
OCHA explained that at least 79 temporary camps were set up in stadiums and sports centers to host displaced people and provide assistance, while about 17,000 people lost their homes as a result of the two earthquakes.
