The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated at a press briefing held on the 26th that the international community is mobilizing rapidly and on an unprecedented scale. A total of more than 1,000 personnel from 25 search and rescue and medical teams from multiple countries are being deployed to Venezuela.
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said that the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team, as well as a four-member action support team, have already been mobilized. Meanwhile, several OCHA staff members are also being dispatched to Venezuela. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated US$15 million (approximately 61.36 million Malaysian Ringgit).
In addition to OCHA, institutions such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) attended the press briefing, expressing their concern and response to the earthquake disaster in Venezuela.
UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler stated that UNHCR is urgently mobilizing personnel and resources to respond to the devastating impact of the earthquake in Venezuela. UNHCR is ready to support the relief efforts in collaboration with UN partners.
Spindler reminded that Latin America and the Caribbean are hosting 6.9 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants, of whom 4 million are in need of assistance.
He emphasized that conducting search and rescue operations within Venezuela remains the top priority.
The IFRC stated that within hours after the earthquake, the organization allocated 2 million Swiss francs (approximately 10.11 million Malaysian Ringgit) and on the 26th launched an emergency appeal for 50 million Swiss francs. On the morning of the 26th, the first batch of 17 tons of relief supplies was dispatched from the organization's humanitarian aid center in Panama.
Dr. Ciro Ugarte, Director of the Health Emergencies Department at PAHO, said that PAHO and the World Health Organization are working with several Venezuelan departments to search and rescue those affected and to provide emergency treatment for the injured. PAHO's regional emergency team is ready, and experts are on standby to assist.
IOM spokesperson Paul Dillon stated that this disaster could affect as many as 6.67 million people, with 2 million affected in the Venezuelan capital Caracas alone. The organization is working with the Venezuelan government to assess losses and, in cooperation with the UN and other humanitarian agencies, to provide assistance to affected communities. Essential relief supplies have already been pre-positioned in Caracas.