Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, July 7, 2026 — In a powerful display of international solidarity, the Haitian government announced this Tuesday the dispatch of a medical mission comprising 31 health professionals to assist the victims of the violent earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24. The catastrophic tremors, which rank among the most devastating seismic events in the region’s recent history, have left vast swathes of the Venezuelan coastline in ruins and triggered a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions.
Led by the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, the Haitian delegation includes physicians, trauma surgeons, nurses, and several specialists in emergency medicine, orthopedics, and mental health support. These professionals have been mobilized to provide urgent medical care, perform life-saving surgeries, and offer psychosocial support to the traumatized populations in the hardest-hit areas. The decision to deploy this mission was made at the direct request of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who emphasized that Haiti, despite its own profound challenges, could not remain indifferent to the suffering of its sister nation.
In an official statement, the Haitian government explained that this initiative is deeply rooted in the tradition of fraternity, mutual respect, and cooperation that has long characterized the relations between the Haitian and Venezuelan peoples. Over the years, the two countries have shared a bond of friendship, with Venezuela having previously extended support to Haiti following its own devastating natural disasters and political crises. For the Haitian authorities, solidarity must transcend borders and political differences, especially when a friendly nation is struck by an overwhelming natural catastrophe. The government further stressed that compassion and collective responsibility are essential values that guide Haiti’s foreign policy in times of emergency.
Venezuela is currently enduring one of the worst crises in its recent history. The two successive earthquakes, which registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, have caused immense human and material damage across several northern states, including La Guaira, Carabobo, and Miranda. Coastal towns and densely populated urban areas were particularly affected, with thousands of buildings reduced to rubble. According to the latest official toll, the tragedy has tragically claimed 3,535 lives and left 16,740 people injured, many of whom are in critical condition. More than 17,000 individuals have been rendered homeless, forced to sleep in the open air or in overcrowded shelters. At least 856 buildings—including hospitals, schools, and government offices—have been completely destroyed or severely damaged, further crippling the country’s already fragile infrastructure. In several regions, entire families are still living under tents or in provisional reception centers, lacking access to clean water, electricity, and basic sanitation.
Faced with this unprecedented catastrophe, the international community has mobilized rapidly and on a large scale. The United States announced a substantial financial aid package of $300 million, along with the deployment of 2,000 military personnel to assist in search-and-rescue operations, debris removal, and the distribution of emergency supplies. Canada has also stepped forward, unlocking five million dollars in funding dedicated to food assistance, health services, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and protection programs for the most vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. France, for its part, has actively participated in this international relief effort by airlifting 44 tons of humanitarian cargo to Venezuela. This shipment includes emergency shelters, solar lamps, hygiene kits, and essential food products destined for families in desperate need.
On the ground, numerous humanitarian organizations are continuing their interventions despite logistical challenges. The NGO SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, which has a long-standing presence in Latin America, is distributing potable water and hygiene kits while conducting detailed needs assessments in the most affected areas, particularly in La Guaira State, where hundreds of families are now living in precarious temporary camps. Other agencies, including the Red Cross and various United Nations bodies, are also coordinating their efforts to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases and to provide psychological first aid to survivors.
In addition to its medical mission, the Haitian government has officially conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, expressed its unwavering support for the wounded, and voiced its firm confidence in the Venezuelan people’s proven ability to overcome this ordeal with courage, dignity, and remarkable resilience. Haiti, itself no stranger to catastrophic earthquakes and humanitarian emergencies, understands all too well the long and painful road to recovery that lies ahead for its Venezuelan brothers and sisters. Through this gesture, Port-au-Prince reaffirms its commitment to regional solidarity and its belief that even the smallest nations can make a meaningful difference in times of global crisis.
By Marie Farah Fortuné and Darbouze Figaro
