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AMMAN — Venezuelan Ambassador to Jordan Omar Vielma Osuna has praised Jordan's swift humanitarian response following the recent double earthquake that struck Venezuela, describing the Kingdom's rescue efforts as a reflection of its solidarity and commitment to helping countries in times of crisis.
The ambassador also commended Qatar for its support, highlighting the joint Jordanian-Qatari humanitarian effort to assist those affected by the disaster, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Osuna made the remarks while welcoming 21 Jordanian citizens evacuated from Venezuela aboard a Qatari C-17 military transport aircraft, which arrived at Amman Airport accompanied by a Jordanian military delegation.
The evacuation was carried out under Royal directives to ensure the safe return of Jordanians following the earthquake.
Meanwhile, the second aircraft in the Jordanian-Qatari humanitarian air bridge departed on Friday for Caracas carrying 26 tonnes of medical, relief and food supplies for earthquake-affected communities.
The first aid flight had previously arrived in the Venezuelan capital with humanitarian assistance coordinated with Qatar, in line with Royal directives aimed at supporting affected populations and easing the impact of the disaster, the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) said.
Osuna said Jordan was among the first countries to dispatch rescue and relief teams to Venezuela. He noted that around 100 Jordanian rescuers began search-and-rescue operations immediately upon arrival, making what he described as a "heroic" contribution to the emergency response.
Among the team's most significant achievements was the rescue of a three-year-old child from beneath the rubble, he said, adding that the operation became a symbol of hope for the Venezuelan people during a difficult period.
The ambassador said Venezuelans witnessed Jordan's spirit of brotherhood through its rapid response, adding that such humanitarian gestures remain deeply rooted in the memory of nations and demonstrate the value of standing by friends during times of adversity.
Reaffirming Jordan's support as an expression of brotherhood, Osuna also expressed appreciation for Qatar's assistance, saying the solidarity shown by both countries was highly valued by the Venezuelan leadership and people.
On behalf of the Venezuelan government and people, the ambassador extended his gratitude to Jordan for its humanitarian assistance and the efforts of its rescue teams, saying their actions would always be remembered with appreciation and pride in Venezuela.
Tens of thousands of people urgently need food and shelter in Venezuela due to the devastation from two huge earthquakes that killed more than 1,700 and injured 5,000, the UN said on Tuesday, as doctors warned of potential outbreaks of disease.
Last week's 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes -- the strongest to hit the country in more than a century -- have left tens of thousands unaccounted for and prompted a frantic search and rescue operation for survivors trapped in the rubble of flattened buildings.
The UN refugee agency said "food shortages are widespread, basic services have broken down, and connectivity has been largely severed" in the port city of La Guaira, north of the capital, Caracas."Community tensions are rising as access to assistance remains constrained," UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf said.
The agency said it needed some $14.85 million to scale-up protection, core relief items and temporary shelter for 30,000 earthquake-affected people over six months.
