US pledges $150 million in earthquake aid for Venezuela, deploys rescue teams

The United States has pledged $150 million to aid Venezuela in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that struck the country. The aid package includes $100 million designated for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Venezuela, with the remaining $50 million to be channeled through non-governmental organizations and international agencies operating on the ground.

Among the organizations set to receive funds are World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Food Programme (WFP). This financial support aims to bolster humanitarian efforts in the affected regions.

In addition to financial assistance, the U.S. administration has deployed two elite search and rescue teams from the Fairfax County Fire Department in Virginia and the Los Angeles County Fire Department in California. These specialized teams, comprising firefighters, medical personnel, structural engineers, and canine units, have prior experience in disaster response, including a recent deployment to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

The U.S. Department of State is coordinating logistical and transportation tasks with the Pentagon, as the Maiquetía International Airport, serving Caracas, was closed due to damage. Official Venezuelan figures report 188 deaths and over 1,500 injuries resulting from the earthquakes, with at least 346 structures, including hospitals and commercial centers, damaged or collapsed.