Venezuela: India has successfully delivered a major humanitarian assistance package to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela under Operation Amistad, reinforcing its role as a rapid global responder in times of humanitarian crises.
The relief mission reached Caracas after two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft completed a marathon journey of more than 14,000 kilometres from New Delhi. The aircraft landed at Maiquetia International Airport carrying essential relief material, medical equipment and a fully equipped field hospital to support rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the disaster-hit nation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the arrival of the aid on Sunday, expressing confidence that the supplies would strengthen ongoing emergency operations. He said the assistance package includes medicines, medical equipment, relief supplies and a field hospital unit designed to provide immediate healthcare support to affected communities.
The Indian Air Force highlighted the scale of the operation, describing it as a 23-hour transcontinental humanitarian mission carried out with speed and precision. According to the force, the consignment weighed approximately 66 tonnes and included more than 35 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, two BHISHM Cubes and an Indian Army field hospital capable of providing advanced medical care in disaster zones.
A 41-member Indian rescue and medical team also travelled with the relief mission to assist local authorities in treating the injured and supporting relief activities on the ground.
Operation Amistad was launched after devastating earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela earlier this week, causing widespread destruction across several regions. The twin earthquakes, among the strongest to hit the South American nation in more than a century, damaged thousands of homes, public infrastructure and healthcare facilities.
The latest official figures indicate that the death toll has climbed to 1,430, while thousands of people are still reported missing. Rescue operations continue amid difficult conditions, with emergency teams racing against time to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
India’s relief effort underscores its growing commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations worldwide. In recent years, the country has expanded its capacity to respond swiftly to natural disasters by deploying specialised aircraft, military medical teams and emergency supplies to nations in need.
Officials said the aid mission reflects India’s commitment to standing with friendly countries during times of crisis. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier affirmed that India remains in solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela as they work to recover from one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent history.
With relief operations still underway and the humanitarian situation evolving, the Indian assistance is expected to play a significant role in supporting medical treatment, emergency care and rehabilitation efforts in the affected regions as Venezuela continues its long road to recovery.
