The United States has announced a major humanitarian response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela, committing $150 million in emergency assistance while deploying warships, transport aircraft and rescue personnel to support relief efforts.
The announcement follows two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude that struck near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast on Wednesday. The disaster has claimed at least 188 lives, destroyed buildings, damaged the country’s main airport and left authorities warning that the death toll could rise.
According to Channels Television, citing AFP, the US military’s Southern Command said it would assist search and rescue operations alongside US government agencies by helping assess damage, locate survivors and deliver life-saving aid.
The deployment includes the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale, the littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15), as well as C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
The US State Department said the assistance package comprises $50 million in new bilateral funding for humanitarian organisations already operating in Venezuela and an additional $100 million contribution to a United Nations humanitarian fund.
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 dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team and two urban search-and-rescue units from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to Bahrain, said the American response would involve the entire government.
“We have a whole-of-government response. It’ll be big, it’ll be fast, and it’ll be effective,” Rubio said, adding that the US military would play a significant logistical role.
State Department officials said the US is coordinating with Venezuela’s interim authorities, humanitarian partners and private organisations to assess urgent needs and deliver assistance during the critical early stages of the disaster response.
The US joins a growing international relief effort, with countries including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Cuba offering rescue teams, medical personnel, aircraft and humanitarian supplies.
