Overseas Chinese in quake-hit Venezuela had donated about 500 tons of relief supplies as of 16:00 local time (2000 GMT) Saturday, said the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela.
The supplies, donated by the Federation of Chinese Associations in Venezuela and other Chinese community groups, include bottled water, biscuits, diapers, milk, rice, sugar and fish, benefiting nearly 10,000 families affected by the disaster.
Two consecutive quakes, measuring 7.2-magnitude and 7.5 magnitude, hit Venezuela on Wednesday.
The death toll from the earthquakes had risen to 1,430, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Saturday.
Also on Saturday, the Chinese embassy said that in response to the earthquakes, the Chinese government will provide emergency humanitarian cash assistance to Venezuela.
It said that additional support would be available as needed to assist with disaster relief and reconstruction efforts in the Latin American country.
Multiple Chinese-funded enterprises in Venezuela have been responding spontaneously and swiftly. Under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela, they are coordinating with local overseas Chinese communities and chambers of commerce to provide engineering machinery, medical supplies, and organize rescue teams.
Overseas Chinese in Venezuela donate 500 tons of quake relief supplies
Overseas Chinese in Venezuela donate 500 tons of quake relief supplies
Overseas Chinese in Venezuela donate 500 tons of quake relief supplies
A growing number of motorists in Iraq are turning to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a cost-effective and readily accessible alternative to gasoline, a shift driven by mounting concerns over fuel prices, supply reliability and declining fuel quality, with implications that extend beyond household savings to Iraq's broader energy sector.
An auto workshop in Erbil, capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, is one of many helping Iraqi motorists switch from gasoline to LPG. By installing an additional fuel system, drivers can reduce their reliance on gasoline while keeping the option to use it. For many drivers, the main motivation for adding the LPG system is economical.
"The difference is going to be very significant. Instead of spending 350,000 dinars (around 230 U.S. dollars) per month on gasoline, I'll now spend around 60,000 dinars on gas. Overall, this is going to make a very big difference in my running costs," said Haider Baha-Adin, an Iraqi driver.
But it's not just about saving money. For many motorists, switching to LPG also means avoiding long waits at gasoline stations.
"Just to get gasoline, I sometimes have to wait in line for three hours before I reach the station. With gas, that isn't the case. There are no such queues, so I can fill up very easily," said Baha-Adin.
The growing demand for LPG is also keeping mechanics busy. At the workshop in Erbil, technicians install LPG systems in around 5 to 10 vehicles a day. Installation costs vary depending on the vehicle and the type of system, ranging from several hundred to more than 800 U.S. dollars.
But cost and convenience aren't the only factors behind the shift. Workshop owner Saif Saad says concerns over declining gasoline quality are also pushing drivers toward LPG.
"The gasoline is not good, its octane rating has been declining, and its quality is poor. People are worried about their cars. GDI (gasoline direct injection) vehicles, GDI engines, and regular engines experience knocking and delayed combustion in the chamber," said Saif Saad, owner of the World Gas Systems workshop.
However, the growing demand is also creating challenges. Saad say his workshop is facing difficulties securing the equipment needed for LPG installations, especially with the current instability in the region which has disrupted supply chains.
Beyond the savings for motorists, the growing demand for alternative fuels could also have wider economic implications, creating new opportunities for investment in Iraq's energy sector.
"The Kurdistan Regional Government has a plan to invest in gas along with the oil because we used to invest in oil only, but nowadays the government is looking for alternatives, because that's a new, emerging trend and an emerging business for the government to help with the budget at the same time, to help the citizen. The government is trying to focus on LPG and electric vehicles," said Nabaz Nawzad, dean of the College of Administration and Economy at Lebanese French University in Erbil.
Iraqi motorists turn to LPG amid fuel price hikes, quality concerns
