Global aid pours into Venezuela after devastating twin earthquakes

• International aid flows into Venezuela after deadly twin earthquakes that caused widespread destruction and killed at least 164 people.

International aid and solidarity efforts are mounting following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela, killing at least 164 people and leaving widespread destruction across several regions.

The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Leo XIV has sent an initial emergency aid package worth €100,000 ($114,000) to the disaster-hit country.

The funds will be delivered through the Apostolic Almoner, the Vatican office responsible for the Pope’s charitable works and assistance to people in need. Vatican News described the donation as an “initial contribution” aimed at supporting emergency relief efforts.

China also said it is ready to provide assistance to Venezuela as needed.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing stands ready to offer help “in an appropriate way according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” adding that no reports of Chinese casualties have been received so far.

In a separate show of solidarity, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, expressing Qatar’s support and readiness to assist in rescue and relief operations.

“The State of Qatar stands with Venezuela and its people and is ready to provide necessary support to help alleviate the effects of the disaster,” he said, according to the Amiri Diwan.

Humanitarian organizations and international bodies have also mobilized. The Turkish Red Crescent said it had contacted the Venezuelan Red Cross and remains ready to provide assistance, coordinating with international Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.

The United Nations said it is on standby to support relief efforts, with UN aid chief Tom Fletcher stressing that the response will require “huge collective efforts” in the coming days to assist government-led operations and affected communities.

Switzerland announced it is sending an 80-member rescue team, including eight search dogs and 18 tonnes of equipment, to Venezuela “as soon as possible” to support ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

In the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will “immediately” deploy rescue teams and humanitarian assistance.

Speaking at a press conference in Manama, he said the US response would be “large, fast, and effective,” with the Department of Defense expected to play a significant logistical role. In a post on X, Rubio said the United States stands with the Venezuelan people and is sending search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid under instructions from President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, graphic footage circulating on social media has shown the scale of devastation, including collapsing buildings, cracked walls, and desperate attempts by residents to escape damaged structures as rescue teams continue searching for survivors under the rubble.