MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says the Government of Jamaica is providing humanitarian assistance to the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, following the devastating earthquakes which have resulted in loss of life, injuries, displacement and damage to communities.

“Although Jamaica is still in its recovery and rebuilding stage, we have not forgotten the hand of friendship extended to us by Venezuela in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. That support reached us at a difficult hour, and we are moved by the same spirit of friendship and regional solidarity as Venezuela now confronts this tragedy,” Johnson Smith said Tuesday.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Johnson Smith said Venezuela was among the countries that extended support to Jamaica, providing mattresses, sheets, hygiene kits and medical supplies for distribution as part of the country’s emergency response and early recovery efforts.

Jamaica and Venezuela have maintained long-standing diplomatic relations, supported by cooperation in areas including energy, trade and disaster response.

“Jamaica stands with the people of Venezuela as families grieve, the injured receive care, and affected communities begin the difficult work of recovery and rebuilding,” Johnson Smith said.

She explained that the contribution from Jamaica is included as part of the Caricom effort, which is being coordinated by the Government of Guyana.

On Monday, the AFP reported that the death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes had risen to 3,535, with more than 16,700 injured in the disaster.

A group of engineers inspect buildings to determine their habitability in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on July 7, 2026, following earthquakes that struck the region. (Photo: AFP)

The massive June 24 earthquakes flattened entire neighbourhoods in La Guaira state north of the capital Caracas, and thousands are still reported missing.

The government said 16,740 people were injured in the powerful back-to-back shocks and that over 17,000 were left homeless.

The government has not given a figure for those still missing under mountains of rubble, but the United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people may still be unaccounted for.

Many of the survivors are living in temporary camps on the street, in public parks or car parks.

As focus shifts from rescuing survivors to burying the dead and clearing the debris, international rescue teams have begun leaving Venezuela.

Families meanwhile continue to search for their dead in the hope of giving them a dignified burial.

On Sunday, authorities began burying dozens of unidentified victims in a mass grave.