Uruguay sends 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela after earthquakes

Uruguay is sending 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela on Saturday, July 4, to assist the nation following recent devastating earthquakes. The aid, transported by a Hercules C-130 aircraft, includes medical supplies, hygiene products, powdered milk, and food supplements. This initiative reflects solidarity from both the Uruguayan state and its mobilized civil society.

The shipment comes in response to the catastrophic earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, that struck Venezuela, particularly the state of La Guaira. These tremors have resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths, thousands of missing persons, and left an estimated 13,000 people homeless, though UN figures suggest up to 7 million people may be affected. The economic impact is substantial, with the UN estimating losses at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of the country's GDP.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin coordinated the aid with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil, who expressed gratitude for the gesture. The aid will be loaded onto the aircraft at the Air Base, with some supplies being collected from the Venezuelan Embassy in Uruguay on Friday. The disaster has left a significant portion of the population in need of humanitarian assistance, with thousands living in precarious conditions after their homes were damaged or destroyed.