Múcio embarks on this third trip to Caracas to meet with the Venezuelan government
The Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, leaves this Tuesday morning (30), for Caracas, where he will meet with Venezuelan authorities to reinforce Brazil's support for the country after the earthquakes that devastated the region.
According to a statement from the federal government, the KC-390 aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has already carried out four humanitarian flights to Venezuela.
"The military took supplies, a field hospital, doctors and firefighters. Since the first earthquake, 13 Brazilians were repatriated on the same aircraft", said the note.
The first Brazilian team was sent on Friday (26), two days after the earthquakes that caused the collapse of buildings in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities.
The second flight took off on Saturday morning (27), carrying a field hospital and water purifiers. Hours later, a third aircraft transported medication kits and complementary modules for the installation of the hospital structure.
The fourth flight left on Sunday (28) with 35 military firefighters from the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais.
The structure mobilized by Brazil brings together military firefighters, members of the Civil Defense, teams from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), sniffer dogs, a field hospital, water purifiers, medicines and rescue equipment. The humanitarian mission is expected to last at least 30 days.
The Brazilian teams have already started operations in Venezuelan territory and operate mainly in the municipality of Vargas, in the state of La Guaira, one of the areas most affected by the tremors. The mission is coordinated by the director of Preparedness and Relief of the National Civil Defense, Armin Braun.
In addition to humanitarian aid, the Brazilian government repatriated 13 Brazilians who were passing through Venezuela and sought, on an emergency basis, the Brazilian Embassy in Caracas.
Earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, followed by around 20 aftershocks, hit Venezuela on Wednesday (24) and caused the collapse of buildings in different regions of the country.
According to Venezuelan authorities, at least 1,719 people died. The number of victims could increase as search and rescue operations progress. Another 5,034 people were injured and 15,866 were left homeless.
Given the gravity of the situation, the president in charge of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of national emergency and requested support from the international community.
In addition to Brazil, other countries also sent help. According to the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, 2,624 rescue team members and 137 sniffer dogs have already arrived in the country.
Brazil plans at least 30 days of humanitarian mission in Venezuela; understand | BEHIND THE SCENES CNN
Source: CNN