Quito firefighters' Venezuela earthquake rescue mission financed by national risk management agency

The specialized USAR ECU-01 team from the Quito Fire Department deployed to Venezuela on June 26, 2026, to aid in international search and rescue efforts after two devastating earthquakes struck the country. The Ecuadorian contingent dedicated seven days to working tirelessly amidst the rubble, successfully locating and rescuing survivors before their return to Ecuador on July 2.

The mission's financing and logistical coordination were managed by Ecuador's National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR), which acts as the technical lead for the national system in such emergencies. The deployment adhered to the international humanitarian assistance framework outlined in Ecuador's Organic Law for Integral Disaster Risk Management.

The activation of the Quito Fire Department team was a direct response to a formal appeal from the Venezuelan government, channeled through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the international Insarag network. This process ensured that the deployment met established international protocols for disaster response.

Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed that the mission's funding came from SNGR resources. The deployment was authorized under Article 41 of the Organic Law, which permits the dispatch of specialized teams abroad when a disaster overwhelms a country's own resources and a formal request for support is made. The principle of reciprocity is also incorporated into this legislation.

Venezuela's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva submitted the official request, triggering the activation of the Insarag network and the mobilization of USAR teams from member states. The request was subsequently processed by Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SNGR. The SNGR assessed Ecuador's technical capacity to respond, recommending the deployment of the USAR ECU-01 team, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs managed the diplomatic coordination, including entry permits, customs, and immigration procedures.