The Israeli military's deployment to earthquake-stricken Venezuela has extended into a third week, marking the longest humanitarian assistance mission in the Home Front Command's history as teams continue operations following widespread coastal destruction.
Thirty-two Israeli experts remain stationed in La Guaira near Caracas, according to an Israel Defense Forces statement issued Monday. They are assisting Venezuelan authorities in transitioning from emergency response efforts to longer-term rehabilitation work.
IDF Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Pinto reported that "hundreds of buildings" Were destroyed along the coastline, characterizing the disaster as complex and large in scale. Israeli personnel are helping construct a national situational assessment, support decision-making processes, establish priorities, and prepare groundwork for recovery efforts expected to span months or years.
The delegation is coordinating closely with local authorities, who Pinto said have been receptive to Israeli recommendations. He emphasized that the Israeli mission's continued presence after most other international teams have withdrawn provides "significant value" To the ongoing relief effort.
"I hope that our joint work and the tools we are leaving behind will help Venezuela address the rehabilitation challenge as effectively as possible in the years ahead," Pinto said.