Venezuelan has decided to send fuel and humanitarian relief to help the
United States recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In a communique to the US Embassy in Caracas, the Foreign Ministry on
Friday reiterated President Hugo Chavez"s aid offer to the United States.
Chavez, who has criticized the Bush administration for failing to react
quickly to the disaster in New Orleans, pledged to send aid earlier this
week.

Venezuela has offered to Louisiana state Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco immediate aid amounting to 1 million US dollars in cash and 120
rescue specialists with first-aid teams.

Foreign Ministry information said that over 70 percent of the Venezuelans
living in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama could be affected, with their
houses and belongings being flooded or destroyed.

The assistance would include two field hospitals each of which can treat
150 people, 10 water-purification plants, 8 power generators, 20 tons of
bottled water and 50 tons of canned food.