KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (AFP) — St Vincent and the Grenadines has joined other member states within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the earthquakes on June 24.

St Vincent contributed to the initiative alongside Guyana, Grenada, Belize, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and St Kitts and Nevis, complementing humanitarian support from other Caricom member states.

According to Prime Minister Godwin Friday, his administration understands firsthand the devastating impact of natural disasters and the importance of standing together in times of crisis.

“We have faced our own difficult times, and we know how much it means to have friends and neighbours stand with you when you need them most,” Friday said.

“So, we stand with our Caricom partners to extend a helping hand to the people of Venezuela. We hope this contribution will bring comfort and support to families and communities working to recover and rebuild,” the prime minister said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, said the regional response underscores the importance of cooperation and solidarity among Caribbean nations.

“When our neighbours face hardship, we must be prepared to stand together and respond. This humanitarian effort demonstrates what we can achieve through regional cooperation and collective action,” Bramble said.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines is pleased to contribute to this Caricom initiative and to stand with the Government and people of Venezuela during this difficult period.”

The shipment was received on behalf of the government and people of Venezuela by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, accompanied by the Vice Minister for the Caribbean, Raúl Li Causi.

During a brief meeting with Caricom representatives, interim President Delcy Rodríguez expressed gratitude to the leaders of the participating Caricom member states for their humanitarian assistance and requested that her appreciation be conveyed to Prime Minister Friday and the people of St Vincent.

Gil also expressed his appreciation to Caricom, describing the bloc as a steadfast friend and partner whose solidarity reflects the strength of regional cooperation in times of need.

The twin earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 caused catastrophic damage across north-central Venezuela, resulting in over 4,800 confirmed deaths, with thousands more reported missing following building collapses.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs further said that nearly 17,000 individuals were wounded and required medical care.

Over 18,000 people lost their homes and were placed in temporary transitional camps.

The regional humanitarian initiative delivered 88 containers of relief supplies to La Guaira.

The shipment included food, medicines, construction materials, debris-removal equipment and 300 water tanks to support affected communities.