Two IAF C-17 aircraft deliver 35 tonnes of humanitarian aid, an Indian Army field hospital and medical teams to support earthquake-hit Venezuela….reports London Daily News Desk
India has dispatched emergency humanitarian assistance to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela under ‘Operation Amistad’, sending a field hospital, medical personnel and relief supplies to support rescue and recovery efforts following the devastating earthquakes that have claimed more than 1,400 lives.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the arrival of the Indian assistance in a post on X, stating that the relief mission would strengthen Venezuela’s ongoing post-earthquake response.
“Indian assistance reaches Venezuela. Confident that the Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment will bolster ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts in the country. #OperationAmistad,” Jaishankar posted.
The Indian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, through which the relief mission transited, said two Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft travelled via Abidjan carrying more than 35 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, an Indian Army Field Hospital contingent and two BHISHM Cubes.
According to the embassy, the medical contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, who are equipped to provide emergency healthcare, trauma management, life-saving surgeries and other essential medical services for those injured in the disaster.
The team is also carrying around six tonnes of medicines, medical equipment and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
One of the aircraft is transporting a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project. The portable modular medical unit is designed to rapidly establish emergency healthcare facilities in disaster-hit areas and strengthen field medical operations.
“The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad reflects India’s enduring commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and its readiness to extend timely support to friendly nations in times of crisis,” the Indian Embassy said in its statement.
The humanitarian mission follows a series of powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela earlier this week, triggering widespread destruction across several regions of the country.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck at 2204 GMT near the coastal town of Moron, about 160 kilometres west of Caracas. Just one minute later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit the same region. Both quakes occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, significantly increasing their destructive impact.
Venezuelan authorities have reported extensive damage to homes, public infrastructure and essential services, while rescue teams continue searching affected areas.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said the death toll from the disaster has risen to 1,430. He added that 3,238 people have been injured and at least 3,142 families have been directly affected.
Authorities have also recorded around 430 light to moderate aftershocks since the twin earthquakes, complicating rescue and relief operations and raising concerns over further structural damage.
Operation Amistad marks India’s latest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission, reflecting New Delhi’s policy of extending rapid emergency support to partner countries during natural disasters.
Over the past several years, India has deployed medical teams, field hospitals, relief supplies and specialised disaster-response equipment to countries affected by earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other humanitarian emergencies under its broader commitment to global disaster relief cooperation.
The relief mission to Venezuela is expected to provide immediate medical assistance, trauma care and logistical support as the South American nation continues efforts to recover from one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.
