Share Story
AMMAN — The Jordan International Search and Rescue Team, operating under the Public Security Directorate’s (PSD) Civil Defence, on Sunday began operations to locate and rescue individuals missing or trapped following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela.
The team launched its field operations immediately upon arriving in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, aboard a Royal Jordanian aircraft, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The 100-member deployment includes highly specialised personnel, among them three doctors from the Royal Medical Services, specialised search and rescue, medical and technical support teams.
The team is equipped with advanced tools and technologies required for natural disaster response, in line with the highest international standards.
The PSD said that the team is currently conducting operations across three sites in Caracas, in close coordination with relevant Venezuelan authorities.
Drawing on its extensive expertise and capabilities, the team is working to save lives and provide assistance, reflecting the humanitarian role of the PSD and Jordan’s broader commitment to supporting affected countries, in line with Royal directives.
The Jordan International Search and Rescue Team is considered one of the world’s leading disaster response units. It is classified internationally as a “Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)” team, the highest level under the international classification system, reflecting its advanced readiness and professionalism.
Rescue crews are racing to find survivors in the rubble of Venezuela's powerful earthquakes as the death toll reached 1,430, and hopes dwindled 72 hours after the earth roared and rumbled, according to AFP.
Millions of people were feared to lack sanitation and other basic needs.
Tens of thousands of people were reported missing as collapsed buildings dotted cities in a country already enduring an economic crisis and political upheaval after US special forces captured authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro in January.
The search for survivors saw desperate attempts by local residents to claw away rubble from buildings that collapsed in Wednesday's two quakes.
Experts say the first 72 hours after natural disasters are the key, narrow window for finding the living. After that, the search becomes one of recovering bodies.
The UN migration agency said that it had examined available population and damage data and had determined that "up to 6.76 million people could be affected," and would "require emergency shelter, safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, healthcare, protection support and essential relief items."
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez reported on Saturday 1,430 dead and 3,238 people injured, while the UN estimated $6.7 billion in physical damage -- equivalent to six per cent of Venezuela's GDP.
