OTTAWA | Mark Carney announced Thursday that Canada will provide assistance to Venezuela, where two successive major earthquakes have caused immense damage, killing at least 188 people and injuring more than 1,500. An amount of $5 million will be granted.
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“We are working directly with our partners and we will adapt our actions according to needs moving forward,” the Prime Minister declared during a press briefing.
A few hours later, $5 million in aid was announced.
“These funds will enable trusted and experienced partners to provide vital assistance, including emergency food assistance, water supply, sanitation and health care services, as well as protection and logistics services,” the federal government said in a press release.
Mr. Carney also regretted that Canadian consular services had been suspended in this country, which complicated humanitarian efforts.
“This therefore places us in an unfavorable situation, above all to help Canadians who are in these countries,” he explained.
In 2019, the Trudeau government announced the suspension of activities at its embassy in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, while President Nicolas Maduro withdrew the diplomatic accreditations of Canadians there.
In March of this year, Global Affairs Canada reported that it was possible to reopen the Canadian embassy.
The two earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 occurred within a minute yesterday shortly after 6 p.m.
Rescue teams were deployed to save the lives of people trapped under the rubble of buildings.
