Earthquake in Venezuela – Johanniter dispatch emergency medical team

Berlin, Germany

At the request of the Venezuelan government and the World Health Organisation, Johanniter are sending a 28-strong medical team to the earthquake-stricken area. The mission in Venezuela is co-funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union.

The Johanniter team consists of doctors, medical staff and experts in logistics and psychosocial care. “The team members have been trained for years to deal with situations like this, and some of them already have experience from previous missions, ”says Oliver Pitsch, Johanniter mission leader for the earthquake in Venezuela. The relief workers come from different Johanniter regional associations in whole Germany. Two members of Malteser International are also supporting the mission with their medical expertise.

The entire team is expected to depart on Tuesday on a flight of the German army to the disaster area. They are already carrying emergency medical equipment for providing first aid to the injured, as well as supplies for the hospital. Another aircraft of the German army will fly 14 tonnes of medicines and consumables to Venezuela. “We are very grateful to the support of the German Army. This enables us to get large quantities of much-needed supplies into the mission area very quickly,” says Pitsch.

WHO-certified

The emergency medical team was certified by the World Health Organisation as an ‘EMT Type 1 Fixed’ team as recently as May this year. Back in 2017, the Johanniter’s “EMT Type 1 Mobile” became the world’s first mobile, non-governmental team to be certified. With this latest certification as an “EMT Type 1 Fixed”, the emergency response unit now holds dual status, signifying the highest professional standards, exceptional flexibility in both mobile and fixed settings, and international operational capability.

What an EMT Type 1 Fixed team can achieve

These teams specialise in ensuring continuous outpatient care in disaster-stricken areas, particularly when local healthcare structures are partially or completely out of action. The team generally brings its own tent-based treatment infrastructure and is able to operate selfsufficiently for at least two to four weeks. In addition, it can also support existing medical facilities or makeshift treatment structures (e.g. field hospitals) where necessary.

Emergency relief operations begin in Caracas

In parallel with the international medical team, Johanniter International Assistance is launching emergency relief measures in Caracas. Hygiene kits and essential supplies specifically for women and girls are being distributed in emergency shelters. To coordinate the activities, Edelweis Allue, a Johanniter staff member in Ecuador, is travelling to Venezuela tomorrow.

“Our national partner AVESA is also providing psychological first aid and psychosocial support, as well as counselling on gender-based violence. This is because, in this uncertain situation, women and girls in particular can quickly find themselves exposed to danger without suitable safe spaces,” explains Holger Wager, programme director at Johanniter International Aid. To this end, the Johanniter are making a further 100,000 euros available from donations.

Background

On the evening of 24 June, two severe earthquakes devastated parts of the country. According to government figures, more than 1,400 people lost their lives and at least 3,360 others were injured. More than 50,000 people are still missing.

Background

On the evening of 24 June, two severe earthquakes devastated parts of the country. According to government figures, more than 1,400 people lost their lives and at least 3,360 others were injured. More than 50,000 people are still missing.

Johanniter are members of “Aktion Deutschland Hilft” and are jointly appealing for donations for those affected by the earthquake: