Crude futures settle higher

Oil prices climbed on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for August delivery gained 1.52 U.S. dollars, or 2.2 percent, to settle at 70.75 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude for August delivery increased by 1.16 dollars, or 1.61 percent, to settle at 73.15 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Ordinary citizens in Venezuela have been mobilizing in extraordinary numbers to offer their assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country last Wednesday.

The two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Monday the death toll from the disaster had risen to 1,719, with 5,034 others injured. More than 15,800 people had been affected.

Since the deadly quakes, a wave of spontaneous solidarity has swept across the South American country, including the capital city Caracas, where long lines of volunteers have been formed at registration sites.

They include professionals from all walks of life, such as doctors and translators, each ready to support in whatever way they can to the relief efforts.

"There are several people who need us to bring them medication and supplies. People up there haven't arrived yet to provide support, but it hasn't been affected as such, because the building didn't collapse per se -- it did suffer some damage, but we are focused on collecting whatever we can up here," said Erick Herrera, a volunteer told the China Media Group at a registration site in Caracas.

Medical professionals are in particularly high demand. Healthcare workers are not only treating the injured in hospitals but are also traveling directly to the affected zones to perform emergency first-aid, evacuate the wounded, and handle the task of recovering and identifying the deceased.

"We would like to go to the rescue area to continue waiting for those who may still be alive. However, there is also a great deal of work to be done in the pathology area and in helping people who are searching for their missing loved ones -- at least so they can identify them and have their remains, and the deceased can have dignity and be properly buried," said Yaritza Rodriguez, a doctor.

Meanwhile, collection points have been set up across Caracas for people to donate essential supplies to the quake victims.

Neomar Galindo, another volunteer, walked through the organized chaos of donated materials to the CMG crew reporting from a collection point.

"This is the clothing area where donations are piling up -- donated clothing of any kind for men and especially children, and shoes of all types. And in this area, as you can see over there, are medical supplies, food, diapers, and medicine and utensils for storing food," he said.