Brazil's field hospital already operates in Venezuela, says ambassador
The Brazilian Navy Field Hospital is already operating in the La Guaira region, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes that devastated Venezuela last Wednesday (24). The information was confirmed by the Brazilian ambassador to the country, Glivânia Maria de Oliveira, in an interview with CNN Brasil's CNN 360° program.
According to the diplomat, the structure is already operational and has the capacity to carry out up to 100 services per day, expanding assistance to victims of the tragedy.
"It is with emotion, in this difficult and impactful time for everyone, that I would like to share the information that the Field Hospital is now operational in the La Guaira region", he stated.
According to the ambassador, the unit has a surgical center, general clinical care, pediatrics, orthopedics, intensive medicine, inpatient beds and a pharmacy.
"We are in a position to provide 100 services per day at the moment", highlighted Glivânia.
In addition to installing the hospital, Brazil has already sent four aircraft with humanitarian aid to the neighboring country. The operation includes firefighters, military personnel, medical teams, water purifiers, medicines, hospital supplies and equipment for search and rescue operations.
According to Glivânia, two Brazilian bases were also installed in La Guaira to support Venezuelan authorities during the search for survivors.
The ambassador also stated that the Brazilian government remains in permanent contact with Caracas to assess new humanitarian response needs.
"We are dealing with an emergency, a humanitarian tragedy. Brazil is attentive to these various fronts and mobilized to respond to the needs that arise at each moment," he said.
Death toll exceeds 1,700
The death toll from the earthquakes that hit Venezuela rose to 1,719, reported Jorge Rodríguez, president of the country's National Assembly, this Monday (29).
Another 5,034 people were injured. There are also 15,866 homeless.
He also said the government assessed 855 damaged buildings, including 189 that completely collapsed.
Rodríguez also noted that 90% of the electrical system has been restored in La Guaira, the state most affected by the earthquakes.
A doctor told CNN that hospitals in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, are overwhelmed following last week's devastating earthquakes. He also pointed out that there is a shortage of basic cleaning materials.
Eight hospitals in and around the capital were forced to close due to structural damage caused by the successive earthquakes, and patients were transferred to other clinics that remained open, he said.
(With information from Reuters)
Understand how the strength of earthquakes is measured
Source: CNN