Barbados Sends Medical Aid to Venezuela After Earthquakes

Barbados dispatched over one ton of medical supplies to Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar International Airport on Thursday, directing the aid to a field hospital being established in Guarenas, Miranda state. The shipment forms part of a larger humanitarian response following the devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24.

Barbados has sent multiple flights carrying both supplies and personnel, more than 50 doctors and nurses, to assist with the field hospital’s setup and operation. The earthquakes left over 4,900 people dead and more than 16,700 injured, exacerbating existing strains on Venezuela’s healthcare system.

The United Nations notes that the system already faced years of material restrictions, shortages, and emigration of healthcare workers. International medical teams from countries including the United States, Spain, and India have arrived to provide support, with India’s team completing its mission after performing 8,000 medical procedures and 20 surgeries. Continued international assistance remains crucial to bolstering healthcare access in the affected region.