Venezuela Prepares Evacuation Plan for Embassy Staff in Japan

Venezuela's ambassador to Japan Seiko Ishihawa announced on Thursday that it had started preparing an evacuation plan for its staff in Japan.

The 380 Venezuelan citizens living in the Asian country are all well, Ishihawa said in a telephone interview with Venezuela's national television.

The preparation of an evacuation plan for the staff of the South American country's embassy in Japan comes as Japanese scientists are struggling to contain radiation levels, following the severe damage to many of the Asian's country's nuclear power plants after last week's 9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

Ishihawa also repeated the offer by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send humanitarian assistance such as food aid, fuel, and heating materials to assist Japan in dealing with the victims from the massive quake and tsunami that have left thousands dead or missing.