Offers of rescue support, aid and condolences continued to pour in for Venezuela on Friday, a day after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 235 people and injured more than 1,500.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised address that United Nations-certified rescuers will help search for earthquake survivors.
Türkiye said a 67-member team comprising search-and-rescue experts, medics and aid workers, along with two rescue dogs and three rescue vehicles, departed Istanbul on Friday aboard two military aircraft.
Four military aircraft carrying aid and rescue workers were en route from Germany to Venezuela on Friday. The planes were carrying around 75 to 80 personnel, about 30 tonnes of equipment and search dogs, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
Spain and France are sending dozens of specialists, while Switzerland has mobilised 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 18 tonnes of equipment.
Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma announced a two-million-euro ($2.3 million) aid package to deploy a search-and-rescue team, while the Czech Republic said its team was preparing to travel to Venezuela.
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India also launched Operation Amistad to provide assistance to quake-hit Venezuela. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar announced the assistance contains an Indian Army field hospital unit and over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment.
“India is committed to support the Government and people of Venezuela in this difficult time,” he said.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it had released $2.5 million to support recovery efforts.
Pope Leo XIV has sent an initial 100,000 euros ($114,000) in emergency aid to Venezuela, the Vatican said.
The European Union said it had activated its satellite surveillance system, with aid commissioner Hadja Lahbib writing on social media: “We stand ready to step up assistance.”
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US and China willing to help
The United States said it was deploying two warships, transport aircraft and helicopters, while mobilising $150 million in aid.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged a “whole-of-government response” that would be “fast” and “effective”.
“We will be there for our new and great friends,” US President Donald Trump said.
