The United States has announced a $150 million humanitarian assistance package and the deployment of military assets to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela. The aid package comes after twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes hit near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, killing at least 188 people and causing widespread destruction, including […]
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The United States has announced a $150 million humanitarian assistance package and the deployment of military assets to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela.
The aid package comes after twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes hit near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, killing at least 188 people and causing widespread destruction, including damage to the country’s main airport.
The US military’s Southern Command said it would support search and rescue operations and assist American agencies in assessing damage, locating survivors and delivering life-saving assistance.
The deployment includes the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale, the littoral combat ship USS Billings, as well as C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
According to the US State Department, the assistance package comprises $50 million in new bilateral aid for humanitarian organisations already operating in Venezuela and an additional $100 million contribution to a United Nations humanitarian fund for the country.
The funding will support organisations including World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Relief Services, International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Programme.
Washington is also sending a Disaster Assistance Response Team and two urban search-and-rescue units from Virginia and California to assist with emergency operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the response would involve a whole-of-government approach and that the American military would play a major logistical role in the relief effort.
The United States joins several countries, including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, in providing humanitarian assistance and rescue support to earthquake-hit Venezuela.
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