China sends over 5,000 tons of aid to Venezuela for earthquake recovery
Natural disasters leave behind more than damaged buildings and infrastructure. They disrupt thousands of lives, making international assistance an important part of recovery and reconstruction.
A second shipment of humanitarian aid from China arrived in Venezuela on October 31 to support reconstruction following the devastating earthquakes of June 24. The shipment, containing more than 5,000 tons of essential materials, was unloaded at Puerto Cabello, the country's main port in Carabobo state.
The assistance includes 87 pieces of heavy machinery for debris removal, cranes and 1,800 prefabricated homes. China also supplied 1,800 fans, 5,400 bunk beds, children's toys, basketballs and soccer balls.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez expressed gratitude to China for its support in the country's recovery efforts.
Juan Jose Ramirez, Venezuela's sectoral vice president of Public Works and Services, said the newly delivered machinery would allow cleanup operations to begin simultaneously at eight sites.
“This is one more show of solidarity from the Chinese people and their government, which has brought more than 5,000 tons of strategic materials to help us address this emergency,” Ramirez said.
He emphasized that the 87 machines would be deployed immediately to clear rubble from collapsed buildings.
According to Ramirez, 63 percent of an estimated 2.1 million tons of debris has already been removed from La Guaira state, the area hardest hit by the earthquakes.
The Chinese-donated equipment is expected to increase debris removal capacity to approximately 33,000 tons per day.
Ramirez added that collected rubble is being crushed and processed to reduce its volume, while recovered steel is being reused by the country's steel industry to construct new homes.
Venezuelan authorities aim to complete debris removal before the end of the year.
According to media reports and emergency services, the June 24 earthquakes killed at least 6,500 people and left thousands more injured or homeless.
As reported by SSTV+, China has delivered a second shipment of more than 5,000 tons of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Venezuela, including heavy machinery and prefabricated housing, to accelerate recovery in earthquake-affected communities.
