The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Crisis Unit, the Embassy of Italy in Caracas and the Consulate General, has been closely monitoring developments in Venezuela since the very first moments following the violent earthquake that struck the country, providing consular assistance to citizens affected by the quake.
Following confirmation of the death of an Italian-Venezuelan citizen registered with AIRE in the Vargas-La Guaira area, the possible involvement of other Italian-Venezuelan citizens is being investigated, whilst keeping constant contact with the local authorities. An Italian-Venezuelan woman is also currently among those involved; she has been admitted to hospital with several fractures. The collection of information on any missing compatriots continues on the ground.
To provide aid to the Venezuelan people, an Italian Air Force flight, coordinated by the Department of Italian Civil Protection, is about to take off, carrying medical staff and the Fire Brigade tasked with search and relief operations, medical assistance and logistical coordination as part of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which was activated yesterday at Venezuela’s request. A team from the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also on the flight; it will liaise between the Italian Civil Protection, the Embassy and the local authorities, and will coordinate consular assistance activities. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working in close cooperation with the Civil Protection Department and the Venezuelan authorities to facilitate assistance operations.
The Italian Cooperation system also sprang into action immediately. On the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, the procedure for declaring a state of emergency for overseas operations has been initiated, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is drawing up a package of humanitarian initiatives – both bilateral and multilateral – which includes possible interventions through Italian civil society organisations already operating in the country. These are, in particular, the the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Food Programme. The possibility of sending humanitarian aid via the United Nations’ logistics network is currently being assessed. The measures will be determined on the basis of how the situation on the ground develops and the priorities identified in consultation with local authorities and international partners.