Aid to fund recovery and support for displaced residents through international organizations

Foreign Ministry says it hopes funds will help residents return to normal life quickly

Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck in succession

Death toll exceeds 200; more than 4,000 injured

Venezuelan rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building on Wednesday (local time) following a powerful earthquake. [Reuters]
Venezuelan rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building on Wednesday (local time) following a powerful earthquake. [Reuters]

South Korea will provide $5 million in humanitarian aid to Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday it had decided to channel humanitarian assistance through international organizations in response to the disaster. The funds will go toward recovery efforts in affected areas and relief for displaced residents.

Venezuela was already grappling with a prolonged humanitarian crisis before the earthquakes struck. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' "Global Humanitarian Overview" for this year assessed that 7.9 million people — more than 25 percent of Venezuela's total population — need humanitarian assistance. Frequent natural disasters and severe economic hardship, including runaway inflation, have driven the crisis.

"The government hopes this support will contribute to the recovery of the affected areas and help residents return to their normal lives as soon as possible," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela in quick succession on Wednesday local time. The death toll has surpassed 200, with more than 4,000 people reported injured.

Building collapses and widespread disruptions to power and communications networks have raised fears that the full scale of the damage could be even greater. The international community has mobilized emergency support, including search-and-rescue teams, medical assistance and relief supplies.


kwater@heraldcorp.com