Following the humanitarian aid sent immediately after the two devastating earthquakes that struck the Latin American country in late June – which included tents, medical supplies and rescue teams – an additional consignment of 30 tonnes sent from Turkey has arrived in Venezuela aboard two military transport aircraft.
The 30 tonnes of aid, transported in two military aircraft and received at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas, were handed over at a ceremony attended by the Turkish ambassador to Caracas, Naci Aydan Karamanoğlu, and the Venezuelan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, according to the Turkish news channel TRT Haber.
The Turkish ambassador to Venezuela stated that Turkish institutions had made a “great effort” in the wake of the disaster in the South American country, and emphasised that “the Turkish search and rescue teams showed great dedication over the course of two weeks”: “The Venezuelan authorities and the Venezuelan people are speaking very highly of the work carried out by our teams. This appreciation has also been reflected in the local press. The reports highlight just how professional and dedicated the Turkish teams are.”
“They have truly shown great courage and dedication in supporting our Venezuelan friends. As of today, they have completed their mission and we are sending them back to our country. The two aircraft that came to collect our teams also delivered approximately 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Venezuela”, explained Karamanoğlu, who recalled the earthquakes that devastated south-eastern Turkey on 6 February 2023 – which he referred to as the “disaster of the century” – noting that Venezuela also sent search and rescue teams to Türkiye at that time.
“Turkey will continue to stand by the friendly people of Venezuela”
Regarding the new consignment from Turkey, the ambassador stated that “in addition to the 275 large tents sent by AFAD (Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority), the equipment needed to set up tent cities was delivered to Venezuela, as well as approximately 7 tonnes of medical supplies and medicines”.
Karamanoğlu commented in this regard that AFAD had previously sent aid, as had the Turkish Red Crescent. “With this consignment, we are making a further contribution to our relief efforts. Our support will continue and Turkey will stand by the friendly people of Venezuela,” he stated.
For his part, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil emphasised the importance of the solidarity shown by Turkey following the earthquakes and praised the support shown by the Turkish people. “As always, Turkey was one of the first countries to lend a helping hand from the very outset of the disaster,” he said. He also recalled that the acting president Delcy Rodríguez awarded the “Heroes of Venezuela Medal” to the search and rescue teams from Turkey and other countries that were sent to the country to assist the victims.
Almost 4,500 dead in the earthquakes in Venezuela
The earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June, just 39 seconds apart, have so far caused – according to the most recent figures provided on 11 July by the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez – 4,490 deaths and 16,740 injuries.
In addition, 856 buildings suffered serious damage, of which 190 collapsed. The United Nations Development Programme initially estimated the cost of the material damage caused directly by both earthquakes in Venezuela at $6,7 billion. Although many teams sent by other countries – including Turkey – have already begun to return, 2,422 international rescue workers are still working in the area.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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