AMI is currently in the process of evaluating the dispatch of medical teams destined for Venezuela.
In a preliminary stage, a group of individuals has already been sent to the location to intensify support through the distribution of food baskets.
This assessment is being conducted by the United Nations, which expresses great apprehension not only for the deceased and injured but also for the survival capacity of those who managed to withstand the seismic shocks.
The Indian Army, in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), has initiated Operation Amistad. This operation is aimed at urgently delivering a specialized medical contingent to provide assistance in humanitarian efforts in the region of Venezuela affected by devastating earthquakes.
A medical team from the 60th Field Hospital departed on Friday from Hindon Air Base and is currently en route to Venezuela aboard two IAF aircraft. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on social media platform X that Operation Amistad is underway. Two IAF C17 aircraft flew to Venezuela to provide emergency support following the earthquake.
The aid includes a unit from the Indian Army field hospital, as well as over 35 tons of essential supplies, medicines, and medical equipment, including two BHISHM cubes. India has stated its commitment to supporting the government and people of Venezuela during this difficult time.
The contingent consists of 41 personnel, including nine medical officers. It is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgeries, and other vital medical services to earthquake victims.
The team is transporting approximately 6 tons of medical supplies and humanitarian aid provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Additionally, one of the two aircraft is delivering a BHISHM cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India's Aarogya Maitri Project.
The BHISHM cube is a modern, indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facility specifically designed for responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. With compact, autonomous medical modules, it can be quickly assembled into a fully functional field hospital capable of providing advanced trauma care, conducting emergency operations, ensuring intensive care, and offering primary treatment to up to 200 patients.
The BHISHM Cube is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation systems, and oxygen support, significantly enhancing India's ability to provide prompt and effective medical assistance in any global humanitarian crisis scenario. The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad demonstrates India's continuous readiness to offer aid and support to friendly nations during crises.
The NGO Doctors of the World has begun a needs assessment in Venezuela, in coordination with local organizations and affected communities, aiming to identify humanitarian response priorities. The coordinator of Doctors of the World in Venezuela, Elena Cáceres, stated that the current focus is on supporting the most vulnerable people, collecting information on the ground to mobilize assistance quickly and effectively. Among the urgent needs identified after the earthquake are rescue operations, emergency healthcare, temporary shelters, and psychosocial support. Furthermore, the NGO is working on restoring essential services, such as health and access to water. The organization has also requested international community support to ensure that aid reaches the population in a coordinated and needs-based manner. The earthquakes, one of magnitude 7.2 and another of 7.5, occurred near Caracas, leading to a preliminary toll of at least 188 deaths and more than 1,500 injured. Portugal and seven other European Union countries plan to send search and rescue teams to the country.
