Caracas/New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): India continued its humanitarian mission in earthquake-ravaged Venezuela on Wednesday, with the Indian Army rescuing a 79-year-old woman from the rubble of a collapsed building and providing life-saving medical treatment under Operation Amistad, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar lauded the dedication of Indian medical teams serving in the disaster zone.
The elderly survivor, trapped beneath debris after the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, suffered a fractured leg and peripheral arterial disease. According to the Indian Army, delays in receiving medical care had resulted in a severe arterial ulcer and intense pain.
The Army’s Field Hospital team stabilised her fracture, initiated advanced wound care and began daily follow-up treatment.
In a post on X, the Indian Army said, “Operation Amistad: A Lifeline Amidst the Rubble. The Indian Army Field Hospital continues to serve as a beacon of hope, delivering compassionate medical care to those affected.” It added that the specialised treatment not only addressed her critical injuries but also offered renewed hope for recovery.
The rescue is one of several humanitarian operations being carried out by India’s Army Field Hospital, which has become fully operational in Caracas and is treating earthquake victims around the clock.
PM Modi praises Indian doctors
Marking National Doctors’ Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the doctors and medical professionals deployed in Venezuela, calling their service an inspiring example of humanitarian commitment.
“Today, as we mark Doctors’ Day, I would like to appreciate all the doctors and medical professionals from India who are tirelessly working in Venezuela as part of Operation Amistad. In such a challenging time, their efforts to serve those in need are shining examples of how medical professionals rise to the occasion every time our society faces a challenge,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also extended his greetings to doctors across the country, offering special thanks to the medical teams serving under Operation Amistad.
“On Doctors’ Day, extend best wishes to all our medical professionals for their efforts and dedication in service of society. A special thanks to our medical teams as they carry out challenging relief operations in Venezuela under Operation Amistad,” Jaishankar said.
Venezuelans thank India
As relief operations continue, Venezuelan citizens have expressed heartfelt gratitude for India’s assistance.
The Ministry of External Affairs shared several videos on X featuring local residents thanking Indian doctors and the Army Field Hospital for providing free treatment and compassionate care.
One Venezuelan woman said the field hospital had been “very helpful for the local community,” adding, “I am thankful to your country.”
Another resident praised the quality of treatment, saying she had never witnessed such excellent medical care in the past six decades.
The Embassy of Venezuela in India also acknowledged India’s contribution, sharing visuals of the Indian Army’s field hospital established at La Rinconada in Caracas. The embassy described the initiative as an important example of bilateral cooperation, with specialised Indian personnel providing emergency medical assistance to earthquake victims.
Operation Amistad
India launched Operation Amistad within days of the devastating earthquakes, making it one of the first countries to dispatch humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
The relief mission included two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying more than 35 tonnes of emergency supplies, medicines, rescue equipment, a fully operational Indian Army Field Hospital, and two state-of-the-art BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) portable hospital cubes under the Aarogya Maitri initiative.
Each modular BHISHM Cube is capable of treating up to 300 patients and is equipped with trauma care, surgical facilities, diagnostic equipment, portable oxygen generation systems and imaging technology, enabling rapid deployment in disaster-hit regions.
The mission reflects India’s growing role as a global first responder in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), reinforcing its commitment to the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family).
Earthquake devastation
The twin earthquakes that struck central and northern Venezuela on June 24 caused widespread destruction across the country.
According to NASA researchers, nearly 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Citing Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, CNN reported that the death toll has climbed to 1,719, while 22,619 people have been affected, including 5,034 injured. Authorities said 189 buildings collapsed completely, while hundreds of others sustained severe structural damage.
Officials have also recorded 609 aftershocks since the disaster. The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates there is a 44 per cent probability that the final death toll could exceed 10,000, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the continuing need for international relief efforts. (ANI)
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