UN coordinates 2,000 rescuers from 27 countries for Venezuela earthquake survivors

The United Nations is spearheading a massive international rescue effort in Venezuela, mobilizing over 2,000 rescue workers from 27 nations to search for survivors buried beneath debris. The coordinated operation aims to locate individuals following two powerful earthquakes that devastated the country last Wednesday.

The twin seismic events registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, leaving a tragic toll of at least 1,450 dead and more than 3,000 injured. The UN has taken charge of the rescue coordination in partnership with the Venezuelan government, led by Delcy Rodríguez.

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We are coordinating efforts to provide emergency health assistance, shelter, aid food, water and sanitation, logistical support, and to guarantee not only the storage, but also the distribution of all the supplies that are arriving in the country.

Gianluca Rampolla, the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator for Venezuela, detailed the operation. He stated that 27 countries have deployed over 40 search and rescue teams, comprising more than 2,000 personnel and 160 search dogs. Despite the passage of the critical 72-hour window, the focus remains on search and rescue, alongside providing essential aid including emergency healthcare, shelter, food, water, and sanitation.

Rampolla emphasized the importance of collaboration with the government to ensure the efficient use of resources. He also addressed questions regarding cooperation with U.S. rescue teams, noting that the United States was among the first governments to offer financial aid for the emergency response, dispelling any notions of strained collaboration.

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In fact, the United States was the first government to announce the availability of funds to respond to the emergency.