Caracas: Thirty tons of humanitarian aid sent from Trkiye aboard two military cargo aircraft arrived in Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country. The aid was received at Simon Bolivar International Airport by Trkiye's Ambassador to Venezuela, Naci Aydan Karamanoglu, and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil.
According to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Karamanoglu praised the efforts of Turkish institutions in response to the earthquakes, highlighting the dedication of Turkish search and rescue teams deployed for two weeks. He expressed gratitude towards the Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Aid Brigade, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE), and the Turkish Red Crescent personnel for their professionalism and selflessness.
Karamanoglu noted that Venezuela had previously sent search and rescue teams to Trkiye after the February 6, 2023, earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras. He emphasized the courage and dedication of the Venezuelan teams and confirmed their return home after completing their mission. The two aircraft that arrived to bring the teams back also delivered approximately 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, including 275 large tents, equipment for temporary tent camps, and nearly seven tons of medical supplies and medicines.
Trkiye had earlier provided humanitarian assistance through AFAD, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the Turkish Red Crescent. Karamanoglu assured that Trkiye would continue its support for Venezuela.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil expressed Venezuela's gratitude to Trkiye for its solidarity, acknowledging the significance of the support. He conveyed appreciation on behalf of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government, and the people of Trkiye. Gil recalled that Acting President Rodriguez had awarded the "Heroes of Venezuela Medal" to search and rescue personnel and highlighted the cooperation between Trkiye's specialists and Venezuelan teams during the operations.
The reception ceremony also saw the attendance of Brig. Gen. Mehmet Bahtiyar, commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Aid Brigade, along with officials from AFAD and UMKE.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Venezuela was struck by two earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, just 39 seconds apart on June 24. The UN Development Program (UNDP) reported on June 26 that the earthquakes caused an estimated $6.7 billion in direct physical damage. Search and rescue operations continue, with concerns about the rising death toll and injured.