Netherlands sends navy ship from Curaçao to Venezuela with emergency earthquake aid

A Dutch naval vessel carrying emergency supplies has left Curaçao for Venezuela after devastating earthquakes that have killed at least 1,450 people, the Defense Ministry reports. International rescue efforts continue as survivors are still being pulled from rubble and major shortages strain the response.

The Royal Netherlands Navy ship Zr.Ms. Groningen departed Curaçao on Sunday morning, carrying food, drinking water, and other relief supplies to Venezuela. The vessel was expected to arrive later that day at about 3:30 p.m. local time.

On board were an NH90 helicopter and two FRISC high-speed boats. The ship also carried a water supply and was equipped to produce additional drinking water using an onboard purification system.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense said the crew was prepared to provide emergency assistance on site, “in coordination with the Venezuelan authorities and the United Nations.”

The ship had been stationed in the Caribbean since early June. It had been assigned to maritime security tasks, including monitoring, enforcement, emergency response and countering drug trafficking.

The deployment came as Venezuela continued to deal with the aftermath of powerful earthquakes. Authorities said at least 1,450 people had died. Interim leader Rodríguez said 33 people had been rescued alive from the rubble. Hundreds more are still missing. Unofficial reports suggested the number of missing may have been much higher. Many families had not been able to contact relatives for days.

More than 1,600 international aid workers were in the country. A Dutch Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team had arrived a day earlier and immediately began operations.

Conditions remained severe. Hospitals were operating at only a fraction of their normal capacity. There were shortages of basic medical supplies, including IV bags, oxygen tanks, painkillers, bandages, and disposable gloves. Survivors who were rescued often had to rely on family members for care because medical systems were overwhelmed.