World Unites to Aid Venezuela, US Disburses Rp2.3 Trillion After Earthquake
The United Nations (UN) has stated it is coordinating the deployment of international urban search and rescue (SAR) teams to Venezuela following the powerful earthquake that struck the country last Wednesday. A wave of solidarity and humanitarian aid from various parts of the world is now moving towards the disaster site.
The United States is leading the financial support by announcing an aid package worth US$150 million (approximately Rp2.3 trillion). The US State Department detailed that US$100 million will be channelled through the UN humanitarian fund for Venezuela, while the remaining US$50 million is allocated directly to aid organisations already operating on the ground.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment of specialist SAR teams from Fairfax County (Virginia) and Los Angeles, complete with a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to provide emergency management expertise. Additionally, the US Department of Defense will deploy aircraft to help assess the damage, track injured victims, and distribute essential life-saving aid.
Tangible support is also coming from neighbouring countries in the Latin American region. Colombia announced the dispatch of humanitarian aid that includes more than 60 rescue personnel along with four sniffer dogs. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has ordered his administration to send a rescue mission involving personnel from the National Civil Protection System. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the dispatch of rescue teams and medical personnel.
From the Caribbean region, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that health personnel from his country have been deployed to the field. “Actively cooperating in the care of the victims,” Díaz-Canel said regarding the role of the Cuban medical teams in Venezuela, although he did not detail the technical specifics.
Aid from beyond the Americas is also flowing in. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it will send aid supplies, provide emergency funds, and establish a field hospital in the affected area. Moral and material support also came from the Vatican through Pope Leo, who sent an initial aid package worth 100,000 euros (approximately US$113,700).
On the other hand, the European Union stated that it is “on standby” to mobilise humanitarian aid once it receives an official request from the Venezuelan government. Two close allies of Venezuela, China and Iran, also expressed their commitment. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated his country’s readiness to assist in rescue operations, while China stated it is “willing to provide assistance according to its capabilities.”