Israel is preparing to dispatch an aid delegation to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on Thursday, demonstrating its commitment to global humanitarian assistance and its unique capacity to act effectively even in complex diplomatic environments.
The Foreign Ministry stated that it is conducting a situation assessment with relevant authorities in Israel and examining options for assistance. Concurrently, the Health Ministry is forming medical, logistics, and emergency response teams to join the effort, pending coordination and approval from the Foreign Ministry.
The offers of aid come after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Caracas on Thursday, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey. The USGS, utilizing predictive modeling, estimated the death toll would likely reach into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
Commitment to Global Jewish Communities
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) announced on Thursday its preparations to provide aid totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels specifically to Venezuela’s Jewish communities. This targeted assistance includes support for 500 families who were evacuated from their homes.
KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrinsky confirmed speaking with Roberto Mishkin, a senior leader of the Jewish community in Venezuela, and KKL-JNF Venezuela’s CEO, who provided updates on the situation. Ostrinsky stated, “KKL is committed to Jewish communities in the Diaspora, which are an inseparable part of us both in routine times and in emergencies. Just as we were there during Operation Roaring Lion system in Beit Shemesh, Beersheba, Dimona, and Arad with communities that suffered severe damage and extreme upheaval, so we will be there for our brothers in Venezuela in their time of need.”
Miguel Trozman, one of the heads of the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela (CAIV), informed Walla that there were no reported casualties within the Jewish community in Caracas so far. He added that many members of the Jewish community chose to spend the difficult night together and are now sleeping in the Jewish community center in the city.
Israel's Rapid Response Capability
Four member organizations of the Society for International Development (SID Israel) have also activated their response teams to assist. IsraAID, identified as Israel’s largest non-governmental humanitarian aid agency, confirmed the deployment of an emergency response team to the South American country.
IsraAID’s initial team will comprise emergency response specialists and humanitarian experts drawn from the organization’s ongoing mission in Colombia and its global Emergency Response Team. The staff will concentrate on mental health and psychological first aid, water, sanitation and hygiene, and rapid needs assessment in affected communities.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is coordinating with local Jewish communities to supply food, clean water, medicine, and emergency shelters. JDC is also preparing for Caracas International Airport to reopen to deploy its own emergency response team. SmartAID is collaborating with Venezuelan partners to assess urgent humanitarian needs and will deliver equipment and emergency relief supplies. Natan Worldwide Disaster Relief is dispatching a team of medical and psychosocial support professionals to conduct a rapid needs assessment and lay the groundwork for a broader humanitarian response.
The director of Humanitarian Assistance at SID Israel emphasized that humanitarian organizations build emergency response capacity over many years, not just when disaster strikes. The director noted that the ability to respond quickly is rooted in long-term investment, trusted partnerships, and sustained engagement with local communities. This enables Israeli humanitarian organizations to rely on well-established professional networks, local partners, regional teams, and staff already operating nearby to begin responding within hours, even in a complex environment like Venezuela, where Israel has no diplomatic relations. The earthquake in Venezuela serves as a reminder that lasting partnerships and a continuous presence on the ground facilitate fast, effective, and life-saving humanitarian action.
In parallel, other nations have also offered support. US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the two major earthquakes had left a devastating number of deaths, without citing official figures, and affirmed that the USA stands ready, willing, and able to help. The Chinese Foreign Ministry indicated China would assist Venezuela, reporting no Chinese casualties or injuries. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered full support, with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares adding Spain was ready to supply emergency aid. President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva similarly declared Brazil’s support for Venezuela’s recovery efforts, directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Embassy in Caracas to assess assistance options.