Jordanian family seeks urgent evacuation of relatives stranded in earthquake-hit Venezuela

• Jordanian family appeals for urgent evacuation and assistance for relatives stranded in earthquake-hit Venezuela, with one dead, others missing or critically injured.

The family of the late Ali Sawalha, who died following a powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela recently after more than 30 years of residence there, has appealed to Jordanian authorities to urgently intervene to assist relatives still stranded in severely deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In a statement to local media, the family called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian embassy to accelerate efforts to help evacuate remaining family members, saying their situation has become increasingly critical due to widespread infrastructure damage and collapsing health services.

The family outlined the condition of relatives still in Venezuela, noting that one brother of the deceased is in stable health, while the whereabouts of the deceased’s wife remain unknown. Another relative, the wife of his brother, is reportedly in hospital in critical condition, while the deceased’s son and grandchildren are also facing serious humanitarian and medical challenges amid a shortage of healthcare services.

They warned that the health of the injured continues to deteriorate daily due to the near-total breakdown of medical facilities in earthquake-affected areas.

The family said they are fully prepared to cover all costs associated with evacuation, whether by land, air, or other means, and urged authorities to facilitate diplomatic coordination with Venezuelan officials as quickly as possible to safeguard lives.

In a separate appeal, the family of a missing Jordanian woman, identified as Taghreed Mohammad Ali Dawood Saber, also called on Jordanian and Arab communities in Venezuela to assist in locating her and reporting any information to the Jordanian consulate.

Her brother, Yazan, told local media that her husband was among those killed in the earthquake and that her two children, aged 11 and 15, survived. He said the family lost contact with her immediately after the earthquake, noting that she was living in an apartment in the La Guaira area.

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed and is coordinating with Venezuelan authorities, expressing hope that she may still be among survivors recovered from the rubble.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said it is closely following the situation of Jordanians in Venezuela through its operations and consular affairs directorate following the earthquakes that struck the country.

Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Fuad Al-Majali confirmed that one Jordanian citizen died as a result of the earthquake, while his wife remains missing. He said the ministry, through the Jordanian embassy in Brazil, is following up with Venezuelan authorities on search operations and providing necessary assistance to the family.

He added that other Jordanians in Venezuela are safe, and urged citizens in the country to contact the ministry or the embassy in Brazil for assistance through emergency hotlines and official communication channels.