Qatar has launched a significant humanitarian airlift to Venezuela following two recent earthquakes that struck the country’s capital, Caracas, reaffirming its commitment to providing rapid crisis response assistance. The Gulf state was among the earliest to respond to the disaster, acting under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Shortly after the earthquakes, the Amir spoke by telephone with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people and pledging full support for relief and rescue efforts. Rodriguez acknowledged Qatar’s swift assistance as a reflection of the close cooperation and longstanding friendship between the two countries.
The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in coordination with the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), organized an air bridge comprising six aircraft delivering emergency aid to Venezuela. The shipments included family tents, field hospitals, and other emergency shelter supplies aimed at supporting displaced families and addressing urgent humanitarian needs in the earthquake-affected regions.
The QRCS immediately activated emergency procedures through its Information Management Centre upon receiving reports of the earthquakes impacting northwestern and central Venezuela. Coordinating with the Venezuelan Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the QRCS has been monitoring the situation closely and aligning international efforts to maximize the effectiveness of the response.
Medical and relief teams from Qatar arrived alongside the aid shipments, and participation extended to a rescue team from the Syrian Civil Defence and volunteers from the Qatar Volunteer Centre. These teams operated under the management of the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group, reflecting ongoing collaboration in disaster response and search and rescue operations.
Among notable achievements, the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group successfully extracted a girl alive from beneath rubble eight days post-earthquake, highlighting the professionalism and effectiveness of the rescue mission. In recognition of their work, President Rodriguez awarded the group the “Heroes of Venezuela” medal, honoring their contribution to mitigating the disaster’s impact and alleviating human suffering.
Official Venezuelan reports indicate that the dual earthquakes have resulted in more than 3,600 fatalities and over 16,700 injured. Rescue teams confirmed that at least 6,462 individuals have been rescued alive from affected areas to date.
Qatar’s ambassador to Venezuela, Salman bin Nabil al-Khulaifi, described the operation as emblematic of Qatar’s leading humanitarian role and ongoing dedication to supporting nations affected by natural disasters and crises. The QRCS has simultaneously launched a humanitarian campaign to mobilize community support for those impacted by the disaster, underscoring Qatar’s sustained international commitment to emergency relief efforts.