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The United States government has raised its humanitarian aid to Venezuela to more than 300 million dollars, following the earthquakes that devastated the north-central region of the country on June 24, a sum that doubles the initial financial commitment announced days earlier by the Trump administration, reported the Department of State.
The decision is one of the largest emergency responses deployed by the U.S. in the region following the natural disaster, to "save lives and provide the assistance that the Venezuelan people urgently need," emphasized the official statement released this Monday by the Department of State, which leads the humanitarian aid efforts.
In addition to the previously authorized funding, an additional 50 million dollars have been allocated to strengthen the essential operations of associated international organizations, bringing the total funds for these organizations to 200 million dollars, including 100 million in bilateral funding and another 100 million routed through the national common fund of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Venezuela.
The statement specified that U.S. humanitarian funds have been allocated to "trusted international and non-governmental partners with a proven ability to provide vital assistance quickly and effectively," such as emergency medical care, food assistance, water and sanitation, shelter, protection, and logistical support. Among the recipient organizations are Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, IOM (International Organization for Migration), WFP (World Food Programme), International Medical Corps, Project Hope, and the Red Cross.
In addition to the funding, Washington has activated a comprehensive operation, featuring four specialized first-rate search and rescue teams comprised of more than 300 elite rescuers and 23 tracking dogs, who are working in critical areas to locate survivors, provide medical care, and conduct structural assessments in the most affected places.
In military terms, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) coordinated the repair and reopening of the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas for international humanitarian flights, with the Air Force deploying a specialized aerodrome management team. The USS Fort Lauderdale was positioned off the coast of La Guaira, with Marines delivering supplies directly to coastal areas using amphibious vessels.
A specialized naval team is also working on the repair of the Port of La Guaira, damaged by earthquakes. SOUTHCOM deployed C-17 Globemaster III, C-130H Hercules, MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 Chinook, UH-1Y Venom, and UH/MH-60 Blackhawk aircraft for rescue, logistics, and damage assessment.
The State Department also partnered with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a humanitarian organization based in Doral, Florida, and Walmart to collect essential supplies in the Miami metropolitan area and deliver them to affected communities in Venezuela.
As the U.S. carries out its emergency aid response in the South American country, "the State Department is already planning for the long-term needs of the Venezuelan people, including housing needs for the many Venezuelans who have lost their homes," the statement noted.
"The United States is committed to maintaining this response and ensuring that the Venezuelan people receive all the support from the United States as they work to recover from this tragedy," affirmed the Department of State.
The two earthquakes on June 24 —with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart— are the most destructive recorded in Venezuela since 1900. As of Tuesday, the toll has risen to 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured. According to UN estimates, there are over 50,000 people missing, while nearly 28,400 remain housed in emergency shelters.
The UNDP estimated the direct damages at 6.7 billion dollars, equivalent to 6% of the Venezuelan GDP, while the U.S. Geological Survey projected a 42% probability that the final number of deaths could be between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
On June 25, President Donald Trump committed 150 million dollars in humanitarian assistance and the deployment of military and rescue teams in Venezuela, as part of an initial large-scale response operation following the devastating earthquakes that shook the country.
The magnitude of the response can be partly explained by the new diplomatic landscape: following the capture of Nicolás Maduro last January, the U.S. recognized the government of Delcy Rodríguez and reopened its embassy in Caracas on March 30, allowing for direct and immediate coordination with Venezuelan authorities from the early hours of the disaster.
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