The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement of solidarity with Venezuela following back-to-back earthquakes that killed at least 164 people and left thousands missing. The condolence message, delivered Thursday from Abu Dhabi, represents the Emirates' diplomatic acknowledgment of the tragedy affecting one of Latin America's major nations.
What the UAE Statement Includes and What It Does Not
The Ministry's statement conveys condolences to the Venezuelan government and affected citizens. However, it is important for UAE residents to note that the statement does not announce financial aid contributions, deployment of Emirati rescue teams, or material relief operations. The UAE's role in this crisis is limited to diplomatic acknowledgment rather than active humanitarian intervention.
The Earthquakes and Venezuela's Emergency
On Tuesday evening, June 24, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, occurring less than one minute apart near the city of San Felipe in Carabobo State. By Thursday morning, authorities confirmed 164 fatalities and 971 injuries, with over 10,000 individuals remaining missing. The state of La Guaira—home to Venezuela's main international airport—was declared a disaster zone, and Simón Bolívar International Airport sustained severe damage and was closed indefinitely.
The nation's emergency response infrastructure has been chronically under-resourced, and the collapse of telecommunications and power grids has complicated rescue coordination efforts.
What Venezuela's International Response Looks Like
Within hours of the disaster, a coordinated international relief effort mobilized rapidly. Direct Relief, a U.S.-based medical organization, began coordinating shipments of medical supplies, while International Medical Corps deployed teams to conduct needs assessments. Germany offered six Airbus A400M transport aircraft, the Netherlands committed approximately €2M in funding with a specialist rescue team, and Switzerland dispatched a large rescue contingent. Regional powers including Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador pledged rescue teams and medical personnel.
U.S. President Donald Trump instructed government agencies to prepare search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian supplies for deployment, with the United Nations aid office (OCHA) coordinating Urban Search and Rescue Teams.
Venezuelan Community in the UAE and How Residents Can Help
For Venezuelan nationals residing in the UAE—estimated at several thousand, primarily in Dubai and Abu Dhabi—the disaster has triggered mobilization and concern. Community groups have begun organizing fundraising efforts and supply drives, with members seeking ways to support family members and send aid packages through established channels.
UAE residents interested in supporting Venezuela relief efforts can:
• Contribute to established international humanitarian organizations working in Venezuela, such as Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, or the UAE Red Crescent Society
• Support Venezuelan community initiatives in the UAE organizing local fundraising drives
• Contact the Venezuelan Embassy in Abu Dhabi for guidance on appropriate assistance channels
Context: Venezuela's Pre-Existing Humanitarian Crisis
The earthquakes struck a nation already facing severe humanitarian challenges. Prior to the disaster, approximately 7.9M Venezuelans were classified as requiring humanitarian assistance due to acute food insecurity and healthcare system collapse. The European Union has allocated over €572M to Venezuela since 2016 to address the protracted emergency, highlighting the scale of the nation's existing vulnerabilities.
Timeline Moving Forward
As of Thursday, Venezuelan authorities were conducting rapid damage assessments and coordinating with international relief agencies. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez called for national unity to address the crisis. The scale of displacement, infrastructure loss, and economic disruption remains fluid, with detailed assessments expected to sharpen over the coming days. The U.S. Geological Survey has warned of significant aftershock risks, posing additional hazards to rescue operations.
