Brazil’s Lula Confirms Humanitarian Aid To Venezuela Is On The Way

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced that his government will send humanitarian assistance and a search-and-rescue team to earthquake-hit Venezuela following two powerful tremors that struck the country on Wednesday. The announcement came after a phone conversation between Lula and Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez, during which both leaders discussed urgent relief measures for the affected population.

In a post on social media platform X, Lula said the Brazilian government had expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and was coordinating support efforts to assist in rescue and recovery operations. He emphasised that Brazil was working closely with Venezuelan authorities to determine the most effective form of assistance in response to the widespread destruction caused by the earthquakes.

According to official details shared by the Brazilian president, a Brazilian Air Force KC-390 aircraft is scheduled to depart from Guarulhos International Airport carrying a 36-member team of firefighters, along with four National Civil Defence technicians and four specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency. The mission will also transport around nine tonnes of equipment to support search and rescue operations in areas where people remain trapped under rubble.

Also Read: Powerful Earthquakes In Venezuela Leave 164 Dead And 971 Injured

Lula further stated that a second relief flight is planned for Saturday, which will deliver additional emergency supplies, including equipment for setting up a field hospital. The shipment will also include 100 solar-powered water purifiers, medicines and surgical supplies aimed at strengthening medical response capacity in the affected regions.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities have announced a series of emergency measures to accelerate rescue and reconstruction efforts. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has ordered the mobilisation of debris-removal equipment from private companies, the creation of a 200-million-dollar relief fund, and the establishment of special credit lines for business owners affected by the disaster, according to officials.

Venezuela was struck by two strong earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, which caused severe damage across the north-central region of La Guaira and parts of the Caracas metropolitan area. At least 32 people have been reported dead and more than 700 injured, while several countries have expressed solidarity and offered assistance as international relief efforts continue to expand.

Also Read: Rescue Efforts Continue In Venezuela After Quakes Leave Widespread Debris