Doha, July 08 (QNA) - Qatar has launched a large-scale humanitarian airlift to Venezuela following two earthquakes that recently struck the country's capital, Caracas, reaffirming the Gulf state's longstanding commitment to supporting friendly nations during times of crisis.

Qatar was among the first countries to respond to the disaster, rapidly mobilizing relief assistance under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, HH the Amir held a telephone conversation with HE Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, expressing Qatar's solidarity with Venezuela and its people following the earthquakes that affected several parts of the country. During the call, HH the Amir reaffirmed Qatar's readiness to provide all necessary assistance to support relief and rescue operations and help mitigate the impact of the disaster.

Meanwhile, HE Rodriguez thanked HH the Amir for Qatar's support and solidarity, describing the response as a reflection of the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Acting on HH the Amir's directives, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in cooperation with the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), launched a humanitarian air bridge consisting of six aircraft carrying emergency assistance to Venezuela.

The aid includes family tents, field hospitals and emergency shelter supplies intended to support displaced families, provide temporary accommodation and meet urgent humanitarian needs following the earthquakes.

Officials said the airlift is designed to strengthen relief and humanitarian response efforts in the affected areas, reduce the impact of the disaster and support immediate shelter and recovery needs for affected communities.

The government said the operation reflects Qatar's continued commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by crises and natural disasters and contributing to international emergency relief efforts.

The QRCS has also joined the emergency operation in coordination with Qatari authorities and international partners within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Its Information Management Center activated emergency procedures immediately after reports emerged of the two earthquakes affecting northwestern and central Venezuela.

The organization established communication channels with the Venezuelan Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to monitor humanitarian developments and coordinate the response.

The Qatar Red Crescent said humanitarian aid shipments, along with medical and relief teams deployed to Venezuela, continue to arrive as part of the Qatari humanitarian air bridge.

The organization said the teams will provide medical treatment, humanitarian assistance and social support to communities affected by the earthquakes.

HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Salman bin Nabit Al Khulaifi, said the initiative demonstrates Qatar's leading humanitarian role and its continued commitment to assisting countries in need.

He said the arrival of the comprehensive medical and relief mission reflects the strength of bilateral relations and humanitarian ties between Qatar and Venezuela, adding that the embassy would provide all necessary support to ensure the mission achieves its humanitarian objectives.

The Qatar Red Crescent delegation comprises specialist personnel organized into three integrated teams.

A relief team will oversee needs assessments and distribute emergency humanitarian assistance in affected areas.

The medical team includes consultants and surgeons from Hamad Medical Corporation and the Qatar Red Crescent representing a range of medical specialties. They will provide medical examinations, consultations and surgical procedures for injured patients and others affected by the earthquakes.

The mission also includes a psychosocial support team tasked with delivering rehabilitation programs and providing psychological and emotional support to affected communities, with the aim of helping local residents recover and strengthen their resilience in the aftermath of the disaster.

A team from the Syrian Civil Defense, along with a number of volunteers from the Qatar Volunteer Center, also participated in search and rescue operations as part of the air bridge operated by the State of Qatar to the Republic of Venezuela in support of response efforts following the two earthquakes that struck the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. The participation of the Syrian team came as part of the mission led by the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group, extending the existing cooperation between the two sides in the fields of search and rescue and disaster response. The cooperation aims to unify field efforts, benefit from specialized expertise, and enhance the efficiency of rescue operations and humanitarian response in accordance with the highest international standards.

Qatar's air bridge aircraft carried two shipments of humanitarian aid provided by the Qatar Red Crescent Society. The first included 16 tons of medicines and medical supplies to support local hospitals and health centers, while the second shipment contained 24 tons of personal hygiene supplies to meet the basic health needs of affected families, strengthen prevention efforts and preserve public health at temporary shelters.

On the sidelines of the delivery of aid shipments, HE Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Venezuela to UNESCO, Ernesto Villegas Poljak, expressed his country's appreciation to Qatar and its humanitarian institutions for this noble humanitarian initiative following the devastating earthquake disaster that struck his country.

The Qatar Red Crescent Society also launched an urgent humanitarian campaign to mobilize the necessary community support to assist those affected by the disaster. Assistant Secretary-General for International Relief and Development at the Qatar Red Crescent Society, Mohammed Badr Al Sada, said that the launch of this charitable campaign aims to intensify vital humanitarian assistance, address the limited local capabilities in Venezuela, prevent a rise in the number of victims, and restore hope and reassurance to families and communities affected by the two earthquakes.

The Qatar International Search and Rescue Group, affiliated with the Internal Security Force Lekhwiya, successfully rescued a girl alive from beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Venezuela, eight days after the earthquake. She received first aid and was transported to a hospital to continue treatment.

HE the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela awarded the Heroes of Venezuela medal to Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) in recognition of their humanitarian efforts during rescue and relief operations following the twin earthquakes that struck the country.  The honor crowns the achievements of the Qatari team in relief missions, as it demonstrated a high level of professional competence, rapid response and commitment to humanitarian duty, providing a model of international cooperation in confronting disasters, reducing their impact and alleviating the suffering of those affected.

Official reports in Caracas said the death toll from the double earthquake had risen to more than 3,600, while the number of injured exceeded 16,700. Relief teams confirmed that 6,462 people had been rescued alive in affected areas. Venezuelan authorities have avoided providing figures for the missing, but the United Nations estimates that the number could reach 50,000, while other estimates put it at around 10,000. A total of 995 aftershocks were recorded across Venezuela following the two earthquakes, adding further casualties and material losses.

Venezuelan earthquake experts said the country experienced a rare phenomenon known as a doublet earthquake, meaning two successive earthquakes occurring within a short time interval. They said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2, while the second reached 7.5, with only a few seconds separating them. They added that aftershocks resulting from the two earthquakes are expected to continue for another two weeks, while the likelihood of a major earthquake decreases as time passes.

The experts said the devastating effects of the two earthquakes were due to both the immense seismic energy released and the characteristics of the soil in the affected areas. They added that the soil in the disaster zone consists of deep layers of sediment that vibrate at a frequency very similar to that of medium-rise buildings of 10, 12 or 15 floors, causing additional damage to infrastructure. They said the causes behind the collapse of a large number of buildings remain under study in order to improve future earthquake impact mitigation measures. (QNA)