The stormy weather closed most of the OPEC member nation's two largest oil refineries on November 29. A source at state oil company PDVSA said they were slowly restarting on the next day.

Millions of poor Venezuelans live in unplanned, hillside shantytowns in Caracas and along the Caribbean coast. Sustained rain conjures up memories of a devastating 1999 landslide that killed at least 10,000 people.

Small mudslides toppled dozens of houses, and crushing cars and blocking roads this week. Most of the 21 died in landslides, while others were swept away by a river. The government has declared an emergency in three states and Caracas, canceling school and opening hundreds of storm shelters.

Long lines formed in poor Caracas neighborhoods as officials registered families to be housed in temporary accommodations including hotels, government offices and even the presidential palace.

Vice President Elias Jaua said 5,600 people were forced to leave their homes because of the rains.

The Andean Development Corporation, a regional development bank, said it authorized a US$100 million donation to Venezuela to help deal with the disaster.