Venezuela quake death toll tops 5,000 as IMF releases recovery funds
More than 5,000 people were killed in the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month, officials said, as the country prepares to draw on $346 million from the International Monetary Fund for reconstruction. The coastal state of La Guaira was devastated in the quakes.
Venezuela's government has raised the official death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck within a minute of each other on June 24 to 5,069. The coastal state of La Guaira, just north of Caracas, bore the brunt of the damage.
The International Monetary Fund announced it was releasing $346 million to support the country's reconstruction effort. Officials said the funds are expected to go toward infrastructure repairs and assistance for displaced families.
In the three weeks since the disaster, rescue teams have continued clearing rubble, while government officials said reaching a final casualty count could still take several more weeks.
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