Caracas [Venezuela], June 29 (ANI): India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission, Operation Amistad, is in full swing in Venezuela, which has recently been hit with twin earthquakes, causing massive destruction and loss of life as well as injuries on the northern side of the country.
Sharing updates on the ongoing mission on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in several posts on X that Indian Army medical teams are providing emergency healthcare and relief as the South American country recovers from the devastating twin earthquakes.
Videos and messages posted by the MEA highlight India’s relief efforts, including the deployment of an Indian Army Field Hospital and humanitarian assistance for those affected by the disaster.
In one of the videos shared by the MEA, a Venezuelan resident expressed gratitude for India’s support during the humanitarian crisis.
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“I am truly grateful for the solidarity that emanates from all of us Venezuelans in these moments when we are in such need of humanitarian aid. Welcome and thank you very much on behalf of all the Venezuelan people… A thousand thanks and blessings to all of you and your people,” she said.
The MEA also shared visuals of the visit by Venezuela’s Vice Health Minister and Head of Government of the Capital District, Jacqueline Faria, to the Indian Army Field Hospital established under Operation Amistad.
Speaking during the visit, the Venezuelan Vice Health Minister thanked India and other countries for extending assistance following the disaster.
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“Well, first of all, [I’d like] to express gratitude for all the solidarity,” he said.
“Truly, we are very grateful to all nations and especially now to India. And of course, we receive with open arms all the aid, all the donations, and all that equipment and welcome it. Well, we are deeply grateful for the generosity and for the solidarity of all the countries that in one way or another have come with a helping hand to contribute and to help in what is the human life camp and in what has been the medical care, of course, from all this team of health specialists,” he added.
The Vice Health Minister acknowledges India’s position as a major global maker of medicine and pharmaceutical products, while expressing gratitude for the relief shipment in the time of crisis.
“India is a major producer of medicine; truly, we are also very grateful for all these shipments they bring us to ensure the supply of medications for all those who have been victims and injured. And of course, well, the transitional camps have helped all these people who have been left homeless and all these families who have experienced this tragic condition that has occurred and of course, well, it is demonstrated that this stage of what we could call ‘peace diplomacy’ has been convened and all countries have shown solidarity to ensure the best existing conditions,” the Minister stated.
The MEA also shared visuals of Indian Army doctors attending to patients, stating, “Operation Amistad: Indian Army doctors taking care of people,” and added in another post, “Operation Amistad underway in Venezuela. Army Field Hospital giving a caring hand to those impacted by the earthquake.”
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India launched Operation Amistad as a HADR mission in a gesture of solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that resulted in significant loss of life, injuries and widespread destruction.
As part of the mission, a 41-member Indian contingent comprising experienced rescue personnel and medical professionals has been deployed to work alongside Venezuelan authorities in search and rescue operations, emergency medical care and humanitarian relief efforts in the affected regions.
The contingent also carried approximately six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the MEA and, in addition, transported a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.
The BHISHM Cube is an indigenous, rapidly deployable, modular medical facility designed for disaster and humanitarian response.
The system comprises compact, self-contained medical modules that can be quickly assembled into a fully functional field hospital, capable of treating up to 200 patients. It is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation units, and oxygen support systems.
As of now, at least 1,450 people have died since last week’s earthquakes, according to a Sunday update from the country’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, with 3,150 others injured and at least 12,721 people losing their homes.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors as the critical rescue window narrows, with operations being hindered by a shortage of heavy equipment and persistent aftershocks.
Since the twin earthquakes – measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude – struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the country has also experienced multiple aftershocks and smaller tremors, complicating ongoing rescue and relief efforts. (ANI)
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