Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Bivero has sent a statement to The Japan Times, expressing his country's "deep appreciation and gratitude" for Japanese assistance for Venezuelans hit hard by the torrential rains and flooding of a year ago.

"The assistance received from the government of Japan as well as from Japanese nongovernmental organizations, corporations and private citizens, whether as emergency aid, donations in kind or support services, was overwhelming, reaching an estimated total of $2.3 million," he wrote.

Total financial cooperation from governments and international organizations, as well as NGOs and private citizens worldwide was $585.9 million. "Thus, in a manner that honors its long tradition of generosity and the Japanese people's sensibility in the face of other people's needs, Japan was one of the largest contributors of aid and assistance to Venezuela in the wake of the December 1999 natural disaster," he said.

The statement was issued to mark the first anniversary of the most serious natural disaster ever suffered by Venezuela. The rains peaked Dec. 16, 1999, resulting in avalanches, mudslides and landslides, which caused severe damage and loss of life and property.

More than 1,000 people were reported killed. Overall, the statement said, about 237,000 people were affected, 30 percent of which were displaced, 64,000 homes damaged, and of these, 38 percent were destroyed.