Vietnam provides $300,000 in emergency aid to earthquake-stricken Venezuela

The aid comes in response to the severe loss of life and property suffered by the Venezuelan people.

It is aimed at supporting the Venezuelan government and citizens in overcoming the consequences of the disaster and restoring normal life in affected areas.

The emergency assistance reflects the traditional solidarity, friendship, and mutual support between the peoples of Vietnam and Venezuela.

Apart from financial assistance, Vietnam had previously dispatched a rescue and relief delegation of more than 120 members to Venezuela to participate directly in search, rescue and disaster recovery operations.

The Venezuelan government on Monday awarded the First-Class 'Hero of Venezuela' Medal to Vietnam's rescue team and second-class medals to its members in recognition of their search-and-rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Earlier on July 3, Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez visited the Vietnamese delegation’s base to meet, encourage and present a letter of appreciation to the officers and soldiers carrying out rescue missions.

She also awarded the Medal of Merit to the Vietnamese search-and-rescue dog unit in recognition of its outstanding contributions to earthquake response efforts in the country.

The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24 (local time), shaking Caracas and neighbouring La Guaira State.

La Guaira suffered the most severe human and material losses.

The latest figures released by the Venezuelan government on Monday showed that the death toll from the earthquakes had risen to 3,535, an increase of 193 compared with the previous day.

The number of injured people has reached 16,770, while 6,462 people have been rescued.

Vietnam Airlines' Airbus A350 departed Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on June 28, carrying 124 personnel from the Ministries of National Defense and Public Security to support rescue and humanitarian operations in Venezuela.

In addition to the rescue teams, the flight transported eight search-and-rescue dogs and around 40 metric tons of specialized equipment, rescue vehicles, and humanitarian supplies for search, rescue, and relief operations.

Vietnam and Venezuela officially established diplomatic relations on December 18, 1989, and elevated their ties to a comprehensive partnership in May 2007.