Aid rushes to quake-ravaged Venezuela
Various countries are deploying rescue teams to Venezuela and pledges of foreign aid are pouring in after twin earthquakes destroyed neighborhoods and devastated communities.
A number of South American nations stepped up emergency efforts. Neighboring Colombia announced it would send humanitarian aid as well as more than 60 rescuers and four dogs. Chile sent a specialized unit of the Chilean fire department, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue), to Venezuela, according to Reuters.
El Salvador dispatched 300 rescuers and paramedics, and the government said it arranged the shipment of 50 metric tons of humanitarian aid, Reuters reported. Centers were also established in Panama for residents to donate supplies.
Authorities in Cuba and the Dominican Republic sent emergency staffers and health supplies to Venezuela, according to Reuters and local officials.
The United States is deploying elite rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance. The State Department announced the US will provide $150 million in aid. And the US military is directing its forces in the region to support relief operations, including the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale and transport aircraft.
Mexico sent two Mexican Air Force transport planes carrying 261 personnel, including soldiers, air force members and National Guard troops and 2.7 tons of medical supplies, Reuters reported. A separate C-130 Hercules aircraft is expected to leave with another eight metric tons of medicine and four tons of rescue materials.
Across the Atlantic, European nations including Spain, France and the Czech Republic bolstered funding and sent dozens of firefighters engineers and rescue dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble. The European Union said it “stands ready” to mobilize assistance if it receives a request.
Spain announced that it will send aid supplies, provide funding and deploy a field hospital. A military plane is also bringing 58 personnel from its search-and-rescue unit, eight canine units and 40 firefighters.
Over in Asia, China — which has close ties to Venezuela — said it is “willing to provide assistance within its capabilities.” Chinese-funded companies in Venezuela have already mobilized to help with rescue and clean-up operations. Japanese nongovernmental organization Peace Winds, which provides disaster relief and reconstruction support to crisis-affected areas, is also on its way.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced “readiness” to provide assistance in relief and rescue operations. And India’s external affairs minister announced the transportation of more than 35 tons of relief supplies, medicine and medical equipment
Various other organizations and even civilian volunteers have also joined rescue efforts. The United Nations said it is coordinating the deployment of urban search and rescue teams. Pope Leo has sent an initial aid package worth 100,000 euros (roughly $113,700).
CNN’s Duarte Mendonca, Magdalena Vitores Moreno, Ivana Kottasová and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.
