Venezuelan Red Cross Projects 24-Month Response to Earthquake Aftermath

The Venezuelan Red Cross anticipates its operational response to the earthquakes that struck on June 24 will extend for two years, with a goal of assisting 300,000 people affected by the national emergency. The organization is maintaining sustained humanitarian actions in La Guaira and the Capital District, two of the regions most affected by the seismic activity.

To bolster on-the-ground medical care and ensure access to essential health services, the Venezuelan Red Cross, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has set up a field hospital in Macuto. Luis Manuel Farías, president of the Venezuelan Red Cross, stated in an interview with Unión Radio that approximately 600 volunteers are actively involved daily in the operations spanning La Guaira and Caracas.

Farías further explained that the projected duration of this operation is designed to provide support in the short, medium, and long term, while also ensuring the availability of necessary financial and human resources. This extensive effort involves collaboration with other National Societies, including the Colombian, Costa Rican, Mexican, Spanish, Salvadoran, Aruban, and German Red Cross societies. This coordinated work has significantly enhanced operational capacity during a period of high demand for the deployed teams.

In addition to the Venezuelan Red Cross's efforts, more than 1,600 international rescuers have joined the search and rescue operations in the affected zones. The Venezuelan Red Cross is also actively involved in needs assessments, supply mobilization, and pre-hospital care, with a particular focus on La Guaira and the Caracas Metropolitan Area. Its network of hospitals remains operational to support the emergency response, which requires sustained coordination and adaptability due to its magnitude.