Czech Team Assists Following Devastating Earthquake in Venezuela
03.07.2026 / 11:33 | Aktualizováno: 03.07.2026 / 12:27
The Czech Republic has joined the international relief effort following the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela during the night of 25 June 2026 through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. As part of the humanitarian response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic initiated the deployment of a Czech Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team consisting of 69 emergency responders, including two military doctors, eight search-and-rescue dogs, and specialized equipment. The Czech team is engaged in search, stabilization, and debris-removal operations in the hardest-hit areas. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá, Colombia, which is accredited to Venezuela, also played a significant role in organizing the deployment of the rescue team.
According to the latest official figures, the disaster has claimed 1,943 lives and injured more than 10,500 people. The scale of the destruction is extraordinary. Preliminary assessments based on satellite imagery indicated that nearly 59,000 buildings in the affected region may have been damaged or destroyed.
The international response ranks among the largest humanitarian operations in the region in recent years. Fourteen European Union Member States, Türkiye, and other international partners are participating in the relief effort. Overall, assistance from approximately 24 countries has either reached or is on the way to Venezuela. More than 3,000 foreign rescue workers and humanitarian personnel are currently operating in the country. The European Union has also announced an additional €5 million in humanitarian assistance dedicated specifically to the earthquake response.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá has made a major contribution to the Czech mission. Czech diplomats have assisted in organizing the deployment of the rescue team, establishing contacts with key Venezuelan counterparts, and resolving logistical challenges. They also continue to provide support to other Czech citizens in the region.
The Czech Republic expresses its solidarity with the victims of the earthquake and their families and highly appreciates the extraordinary dedication of all Czech rescue workers, who are representing the Czech Republic under demanding conditions while assisting the people of Venezuela affected by this disaster.