India has started Operation Amistad, a humanitarian mission to help Venezuela after a major earthquake. Two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying relief goods and a 41-person rescue group left on Friday to join rescue and aid work there. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India stands with Venezuela’s government and people in this hard time. The effort includes an Indian Army field hospital unit, more than 35 tons of supplies, medicines, equipment and two portable hospital units. The team of rescue and medical staff will assist local authorities with search operations, emergency care and relief distribution. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on June 24 and rank among the strongest in over a century. As of June 26 the death toll reached 920 with over 3,300 injured, and more casualties are feared.
