IV
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 405
Recognizing the recent natural disaster in Venezuela, commending the people
and Government of Venezuela for its disaster recovery efforts, and calling
on the United States Government and the international community to
consider providing additional disaster assistance.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 27, 2000
Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself, Mr. BALLENGER, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr.
SOUDER, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Mr. GILLMOR, and Mr. GEJDENSON)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on International Relations
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the recent natural disaster in Venezuela, com-
mending the people and Government of Venezuela for
its disaster recovery efforts, and calling on the United
States Government and the international community to
consider providing additional disaster assistance.
Whereas on December 16, 1999, the Government of Ven-
ezuela declared a state of emergency for 7 states after 2
weeks of unrelenting rain led to flash flooding in north-
ern Venezuela;
Whereas the December floods, determined to be the worse
natural disaster to hit Venezuela in the century, left an
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estimated 30,000 dead and an estimated 500,000 persons
affected or displaced;
Whereas the disaster resulted in the damage to or the de-
struction of many roads, bridges, and other elements of
Venezuela’s infrastructure and the damage or destruction
of over 100,000 homes and businesses;
Whereas the flooding has affected over 35,000 hectares of
farmland and destroyed an estimated 60 percent of the
agriculture harvest for this year;
Whereas the flooding left thousands of Venezuelans homeless
and without essential food, water, shelter, and medical
supplies;
Whereas on December 16, 1999, the United States Ambas-
sador to Venezuela declared a disaster for flooding, thus
releasing immediate financial and material assistance
from the United States;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Develop-
ment, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and the
Department of Defense have actively provided support to
the Government of Venezuela in the search, rescue, and
recovery efforts thus far;
Whereas the United States Government has provided approxi-
mately $3.75 million in emergency disaster assistance
and an additional $20 million in Department of Defense
assistance;
Whereas the international community, as reported by the
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humani-
tarian Affairs, has contributed approximately $10 million
for emergency relief;
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Whereas the United States should continue to play a leading
role in responding to international disasters and to en-
courage others to contribute to the recovery effort; and
Whereas Venezuela is an important neighbor, friend, and ally
in the Hemisphere and is in need of help: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) recognizes the significant death and de-
struction in parts of northern Venezuela as a result
of the devastating floods of December 1999 and ex-
presses its deepest sympathy to the people of Ven-
ezuela who have suffered as a result of these floods;
(2) commends the Government of Venezuela for
its determined and quick response to the disaster
and its rescue and relief efforts as well as the people
of Venezuela for coming together in this time of na-
tional emergency and need to help in the rescue and
relief efforts of their fellow citizens;
(3) commends the United States Ambassador to
Venezuela, the Agency for International Develop-
ment, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and
the Department of Defense for their swift reaction
to the disaster and the timely assistance thus far
provided to the people and Government of Venezuela
for rescue and relief operations; and
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(4) pledges the continued support of the United
States and urges the administration to seek addi-
tional emergency relief funds, if appropriate, to con-
tinue to assist the people of Venezuela to recover
from this disaster and urges the Administrator of
the Agency for International Development to encour-
age other international donors to continue to con-
tribute to the relief efforts in Venezuela.
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