The United Kingdom has launched a major humanitarian response to the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, dispatching a 68-strong search and rescue team and releasing an initial £2 million in emergency funding.
A team of specialist search and rescue personnel, along with six trained search dogs, departed the UK on Thursday aboard a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton, bound for the disaster zone.
The flight also carried specialist drones capable of assessing structural collapses, identifying hazards such as compromised roofs, and guiding rescue crews through rubble safely.
The deployment draws on firefighters and specialists from 14 UK Fire and Rescue Services, with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service leading the mission.
The team has significant experience in disaster response as its members worked on the ground in Türkiye and Morocco in 2023 following major earthquakes, pulling survivors from collapsed buildings.
Wheels up ✈️
68 @UK_ISAR_TEAM specialists, 6 search dogs and critical equipment – including seismic listening tech and cutting tools – are on their way to Venezuela to support those affected by the earthquakes. pic.twitter.com/MH78x6s4gF
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 26, 2026
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed solidarity with those affected, saying the UK was working with international partners to get vital support to those in need as quickly as possible.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed that commitment, confirming the government was coordinating closely with allies to accelerate the response.
Alongside the rescue operation, an advance team from the UK Emergency Medical Team is also travelling to Venezuela to assess urgent health needs, with their findings set to determine what further medical support the UK can provide in the coming days and weeks.
The £2 million funding package is intended to support immediate life-saving activity and broader international coordination efforts. The UK is also a significant contributor to multilateral emergency funds.
Read More: Death Toll Nears 1,000 as Rescue Efforts Continue After Venezuela Earthquakes
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund has already allocated money for the Venezuelan Red Cross to mount a local first response, while the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has also made an allocation to address the most urgent humanitarian needs.
Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones praised the speed of the military’s involvement, noting that RAF personnel worked rapidly to prepare the aircraft and coordinate what she described as a critical humanitarian mission.
UK International Search and Rescue operates as part of the UK’s National Resilience capability and is maintained on permanent standby for overseas disaster response; a partnership between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and UK Fire and Rescue Services providing round-the-clock deployable capability.
