More Argentine Doctors and Rescuers Travel to Venezuela to Assist Earthquake Victims

A new contingent of Argentine doctors, rescuers, and volunteers departed for Venezuela on Sunday, joining humanitarian efforts in areas devastated by earthquakes on June 24. The group comprises 23 rescuers from the Emergency and First Aid Corps (CEPA) and Fénix Unit Rescue, alongside four medical professionals from the Association of Venezuelan Doctors in Argentina (Asomevenar) and one lawyer.

The primary objective of this mission is to intensify the search for victims trapped in the rubble, responding to pleas from families still awaiting the recovery of missing loved ones. Venezuelan civil society organizations report that there are still unaccounted-for individuals, a figure not officially released by Venezuelan authorities.

The contingent will also provide primary medical attention in displacement camps housing families who lost their homes. Special focus will be placed on patients with chronic illnesses and the prevention of infections stemming from post-disaster sanitary conditions. Since the earthquakes, nearly 300 individuals have traveled from Argentina to Venezuela, including brigadistas, doctors, K9 dog handlers, and volunteers, supported by the Argentine government.

Official Venezuelan figures report that the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes resulted in 5,208 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and left 17,907 people homeless. Additionally, 23,820 people are housed in 107 temporary camps, and 128,324 families have received state assistance. The earthquakes affected 856 buildings, with 190 collapsing, and were followed by 1,388 aftershocks. The Argentine government has also deployed a consular mission to assist its citizens residing in Venezuela affected by the emergency.