Haiti sends medical mission to Venezuela after deadly earthquakes
Key Points(5)
- The Haitian government has deployed a medical mission to Venezuela to assist communities affected by the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
- The mission, launched at the request of Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday and is led by Minister of Public Health and Population Dr.
- It includes 31 healthcare professionals, among them specialists in orthopedics, surgery, anesthesiology, gynecology and internal medicine.
- The delegation also delivered 5.5 tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment, including ultrasound machines, oxygen concentrators and specialised equipment for pediatric care, to support Venezuela’s emergency response efforts.
- “We did not come here to deliver leftovers, but to share what little we have with the Bolivarian people of Venezuela, as a sign of solidarity and fraternity,” Bertrand said.
The Haitian government has deployed a medical mission to Venezuela to assist communities affected by the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
The mission, launched at the request of Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday and is led by Minister of Public Health and Population Dr. Sinal Bertrand. It includes 31 healthcare professionals, among them specialists in orthopedics, surgery, anesthesiology, gynecology and internal medicine.
The delegation also delivered 5.5 tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment, including ultrasound machines, oxygen concentrators and specialised equipment for pediatric care, to support Venezuela’s emergency response efforts.
“We did not come here to deliver leftovers, but to share what little we have with the Bolivarian people of Venezuela, as a sign of solidarity and fraternity,” Bertrand said. “We did not send a consultative delegation; we came with specialists ready to make themselves available to the Venezuelan government for 15, 20, or 30 days, or even as long as necessary.”
According to Haitian authorities, the mission reflects Haiti’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people and draws on Haiti’s own experience responding to major natural disasters.
The Haitian government expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones, wished a speedy recovery to those injured and said the deployment represents the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.
At Simón Bolívar International Airport, the Haitian delegation was received by Venezuelan officials, including Dr. Noly Fernández, vice minister of outpatient care networks, and Major General Manuel Castillo Rengifo, Venezuela’s designated ambassador to Belarus.
Fernández thanked Haiti for its support, saying the medical mission would assist communities most affected by the disaster.
She said Venezuela’s Ministry of People’s Power for Health was coordinating the deployment of medical personnel to impacted areas, particularly Caracas and the state of La Guaira.
“Venezuela welcomes them with great love, solidarity, and respect for Bolivarian ideals. We share a common history that will allow us to move forward together. Thanks to these specialists, we will be able to support our citizens both spiritually and physically, demonstrating that Venezuela is not alone,” Fernández said.
The June 24 earthquakes caused widespread destruction across affected areas of Venezuela. According to provisional figures released by Venezuelan authorities, the disaster has left thousands dead, injured or missing as recovery efforts continue.
The Haitian government said the mission underscores its commitment to international humanitarian cooperation despite its own domestic challenges.
“The Haitian people express, through this medical delegation, their deepest compassion, affection, and support for the Venezuelan people,” the government said in a statement. “This mission reaffirms Haiti’s commitment to international solidarity and to strengthening its partnership with Venezuela through humanitarian cooperation.”
