Governments and humanitarian organizations around the world have begun mobilizing cash, rescue personnel and other forms of relief to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck on Wednesday, killing at least 188 people and injuring more than 1,500, with casualties expected to rise.
The back-to-back tremors measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and hit roughly 160 km (100 miles) west of the capital, Caracas. Officials reported at least 250 damaged buildings and, in the most recent tally, about 200 people still believed to be trapped beneath debris.
U.N. coordination and scale of need
Tom Fletcher, head of the U.N. humanitarian affairs office, said the agency is coordinating the deployment of international urban search-and-rescue teams. "The coming days will require a massive collective effort to support the Government-led response and help communities," he said. Fletcher also noted that some 8 million people in Venezuela required humanitarian aid even before the quake, and that the disaster could increase their vulnerability.
United States response
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that search-and-rescue teams have been deployed from Virginia and Los Angeles, and that additional teams will be added. "That’s their most immediate need right now, is search and rescue efforts," Rubio said.
Relief from religious and non-profit groups
Vatican media reported that Pope Leo XIV has provided c100,000 for quake relief from the Vatican’s charity fund. Chef Jose Andres, founder of the humanitarian meal provider World Central Kitchen, said his organization had begun distributing meals in Caracas and that his Longer Tables Fund would immediately contribute $1 million to assist Venezuela.
Regional and national deployments
- El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele said 300 rescue workers and paramedics are prepared to travel to Venezuela, along with 50 tons of medical supplies.
- Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum said a team of rescue workers and medical personnel left for Venezuela, and that Mexico would assess on Friday whether to send additional assistance.
- Spain: The Spanish defense ministry said a military plane would transport 57 soldiers from its search-and-rescue unit and 40 firefighters from the Madrid region. Spain’s development agency also plans to establish a field hospital in Venezuela.
- Italy: Italy’s Civil Protection agency said it was dispatching an advance team to Venezuela to prepare and coordinate the later arrival of additional rescuers. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said firefighters, the ministry of defense and the air force were being mobilized to provide assistance.
The immediate international focus is on search-and-rescue operations and medical relief, with multiple governments and aid organizations positioning personnel, supplies and temporary medical capacity. The scale of pre-existing humanitarian need in Venezuela - noted by U.N. officials - is likely to complicate relief efforts and increase demand for sustained assistance.
Exchange reference included in original reporting: $1 = 0.8792 euros.