Solidarity Remains Active in Aid to Venezuela

Solidarity with Venezuela remains active today with the arrival of specialists and humanitarian aid from various parts of the world, as authorities prioritize care for the survivors of the June 24 earthquakes.

One week after the "worst natural tragedy" in the country's history, rescue efforts for victims trapped under rubble continue, with hope still alive despite the critical hours having passed. The 4,099 international rescuers from Latin America, the Americas, Europe, and Asia deployed to the disaster zones maintain uninterrupted work using advanced technologies, search dogs, vehicles, and the contribution of 707,063 tons of humanitarian aid.

Cooperation remained active yesterday with the arrival of another group of rescue experts from Mexico, and new shipments of medical supplies and telecommunications equipment from Panama, Ecuador, Argentina, Germany, and Brazil to assist victims and address the emergency.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced on Telegram the arrival yesterday of a technical mission from Israel with experts in structural engineering and applied sciences, who joined the technical evaluations of affected infrastructure.

The latest official reports indicated damage to 885 buildings across the country as a result of the earthquakes, of which 189 completely collapsed — 158 of them in La Guaira — while 666 suffered very serious damage or partially collapsed.

The acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has established as a priority the protection of those who survived last Wednesday's earthquakes, families in temporary camps, and those still needing safe shelter. Last night, together with other authorities, she toured facilities of a field hospital deployed by Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian organization based in the United States, with the capacity to treat up to 200 patients daily.

She also visited the operations center of rescue teams from France, Peru, Germany, and Jordan. In La Guaira, during an event with government authorities and ambassadors, the head of state awarded the Venezuelan Canine Heroes and Venezuelan Heroes second-class decorations to rescuers from Italy and Switzerland, and sent letters of thanks and decoration to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin.

The acting president affirmed that mourning for the victims has turned into gratitude to all the peoples of the 31 countries that came to Venezuela, which has become territory where "humanitarian hope vibrates in each of the hearts."