Venezeula earthquakes: Aid flows from UN, US, Europe, UK, Pope Leo XIV, and others
Countries around the world and international organisations are pouring resources into search and rescue efforts in Venezuela after two deadly earthquakes.
Governments and humanitarian organisations worldwide have begun sending cash, rescue teams and other aid to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 188 people and left more than 1,500 injured, with casualties expected to rise.
The back-to-back quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck roughly 160 km west of the capital Caracas.
Here’s a summary of help that’s been promised.
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UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said the humanitarian affairs office was coordinating deployment of international urban search-and-rescue teams.
“The coming days will require a massive collective effort to support the government-led response and help communities,” he said.
Some 8 million people in the country required humanitarian aid even before the quake, he added, and the disaster could make them more vulnerable.
US State Department
The US State Department said it is mobilising $150 million in humanitarian aid for Venezuela.
Washington is also sending a disaster response team with two urban search-and-rescue units, while providing airlift, logistics and coordination support to move personnel and life-saving supplies into affected areas, the State Department said.
“That’s their most immediate need right now, is search and rescue efforts,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier told reporters.
The US military - which in January swooped in to Venezuela to seize then president Nicolas Maduro - is helping transport supplies and personnel as well as support other relief operations.
Britain
The UK government is providing £2 million ($A 3.8 million) to help the emergency response.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the funds were immediately available to get search and rescue teams into Venezuela.
“We’re also working with the United States, with Canada, with the United Nations, and making sure that we can get support in for Venezuela, for the people who need our help,” she said.
Europe
France, Spain and Italy have deployed scores of emergency workers and aircraft to join search and rescue efforts in Venezuela.
French President Emmanuel Macron took to social platform X to express France’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
“France stands ready, alongside its European partners, to provide assistance to the affected populations in response to the needs identified by the Venezuelan authorities,” he wrote.
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo has sent €100,000 ($A164,569) to Venezuela for quake relief from the Vatican’s charity fund, Vatican media reported.
Regional neighbours
Countries including Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico are sending rescue workers, search dogs medical supplies, aircraft, and other equipment.
