Venezuela Earthquakes: Shipments of Critical Medical Aid Prepped for Response

While damage assessments are still underway and health needs continue to evolve, Direct Relief is working closely with healthcare partners in Venezuela and the region to ensure support is aligned with what local responders are identifying on the ground.

Direct Relief's approach in any emergency is to provide assistance based on specific requests from healthcare providers and response organizations closest to the need.

This helps ensure critical transportation and logistics routes remain available for priority response activities, and that aid arriving in-country reflects actual, identified needs.

This week, Direct Relief shipped a humanitarian aid consignment from its Santa Barbara headquarters to Panama for regional distribution, which includes aid allocated for Venezuela response efforts.

The shipment contains essential medicines, emergency medical backpacks, and emergency hygiene kits to support displaced individuals with everyday personal care essentials.

In addition, Direct Relief is preparing a multi-pallet shipment for two healthcare partners in Venezuela, Acción Solidaria and Fundación Wayuu Taya.

The shipment contains medicines and medical supplies specifically requested by those organizations to address both immediate earthquake-related health needs and continuity of care for people living with chronic health conditions.

• Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that may result from injuries or exposure to contaminated water.
• Blood pressure and mental health medications to help prevent interruptions in treatment for chronic conditions.
• Inhalers to support patients with respiratory illnesses and prevent exacerbations.
• Topical pain relief products and oral acetaminophen for pain management.
• IV fluids for hydration, resuscitation, and treatment of shock and dehydration.
• Electrolytes, oral rehydration salts, and water purification tablets to help address dehydration risks and support access to safe water.
• Medical-grade tents, which can be used as a mobile health clinic or for overflow patient care at a hospital.

The Direct Relief Emergency Response Team is also coordinating a significant shipment of specifically requested medical aid to support healthcare in Venezuela and should have more details on the specifics of this shipment this week.

Beyond material medical aid, Direct Relief has also supported the deployment of specialized international response teams.

Direct Relief funded the deployment of Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras, or BUSF, a Spain-based search- and-rescue organization. The team is on the ground in La Guaira and includes search-and-rescue personnel, medical staff, firefighters, and a canine unit. They are working alongside local firefighters and Venezuela's Civil Defense authorities to assist with search-and-rescue operations, medical support, hygiene services, and damage assessments.

Direct Relief has also funded the deployment of a multidisciplinary medical team from Mexico and Colombia. The team includes emergency physicians, general practitioners, nurses with trauma and disaster medicine experience, physical therapists, psychologists, and logistics and field coordination personnel to support mobile medical services and emergency health response activities.

As the situation continues to develop, Direct Relief remains in close contact with healthcare providers and response partners and will adapt support based on identified needs and requests from organizations on the ground.