A disaster relief team from animal protection organization Humane World for Animals has deployed to northern Venezuela to support emergency relief for dogs, cats and other animals impacted by the devastating twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
Humane World for Animals has deployed a team of nine from Mexico and Costa Rica after receiving a formal request for international assistance from a local animal welfare group. After their arrival in Valencia, the team will help set up mobile veterinary teams to assist displaced animals and distribute emergency food, veterinary and animal supplies in the heavily impacted areas of Caracas and La Guaira. Humane World for Animals has also provided an initial emergency grant of financial aid to local group Red de Apoyo Canino (Canine Support Network), enabling it to dispatch veterinary and relief supplies.
Felipe Marquez, Humane World for Animals’ disaster response manager for Latin America, who is leading the deployment, said: “This massive earthquake event has caused tragic harm and loss of life to both people and their beloved animals. Our team on the ground will support local animal groups in efforts to save as many animal lives as possible. We expect to see lots of animals with injuries from fallen debris, and others suffering from dehydration and malnutrition after being lost amid the chaos for so long. We will distribute vital food, water and medical supplies where they are needed most. It’s heartbreaking to see people and animals suffering the physical and psychological impacts of a disaster of this magnitude.”
Humane World for Animals responds to disasters around the world to assist animals and communities in need. Our team works to reduce animal suffering and foster community resilience before, during and after disasters. For example, we’ve stepped in to help animals affected by volcanic eruptions in Guatemala; earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador, Mexico and Türkiye; deadly storms in India, Haiti, Costa Rica, South Africa, Mozambique and the United States; and wildfires in Australia and Chile; as well as helping refugees and their pets fleeing the war in Ukraine. We also invest in long-term preparedness, mitigation and recovery to better empower communities before disasters strike.
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