Venezuela sets up temporary housing as death toll rises

Last month, two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, killing thousands of people and destroying countless homes. The death toll has now climbed to at least 4,333, and officials say many more people are still missing. To help survivors, Venezuela's government has announced plans to build temporary housing for families who lost everything. This is one of the most serious disasters Venezuela has faced in recent times.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez made the housing announcement on Saturday. He is the brother of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who leads the country. Rodriguez said the government is working hard to find solutions for displaced families. He did not share how many people remain unaccounted for, but the United Nations estimates about 50,000 people are still missing.

The two earthquakes measured magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 and struck on June 24. They hit the capital city of Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira. The powerful shaking knocked down entire high-rise apartment buildings and left more than 850 structures in ruins or badly damaged. It was one of the worst natural disasters in Venezuela's recent history.

More than 19,000 people are currently living in makeshift camps set up in stadiums, schools, and on sidewalks and public squares. However, schools will need to be cleared before the new academic year begins in September. The government estimates that about 25,000 new homes will be needed to house all the displaced families. Finding land and building that many homes quickly will be a major challenge.

Rodriguez said the government has set aside more than 40 plots of land in La Guaira state, covering about 584,000 square meters. He also promised that workers will not rush to clear rubble, since families are still hoping to find missing loved ones. Officials want to make sure the search for victims is handled with care and respect. The government's goal is to balance rebuilding with the needs of grieving families.

To fund the recovery, Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez asked the Bank of England to release the country's gold reserves stored there. She also asked the International Monetary Fund to free up emergency financial resources. 'This gold belongs to our people and should be used to serve them,' she said. The government warned that large amounts of money will be needed for construction, rent help, and home purchase loans.