New Delhi, Jun 26 (ANI): India deploys a specialised Indian Army medical contingent to earthquake-hit Venezuela to support humanitarian relief efforts, on Friday | Photo Credit: ANI

The Indian Army has dispatched a specialised medical contingent to assist in humanitarian relief efforts in the northern Venezuela, affected by massive twin earthquakes on Wednesday which has so far left 235 dead and more than 1,500 others injured.

Under Operation ‘Amistad’, a Spanish word that translates to friendship, an airborne elite medical team from Agra-based ‘60 Para Field Hospital’ departed Friday afternoon from Hindon Air Force Station to Venezuela aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, as per Indian Army officials.

The contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, and is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support and other essential healthcare services to those affected by the earthquake.

The team is carrying approximately six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs. In addition, one of the two aircraft is transporting a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project, stated sources.

The BHISHM Cube is a state-of-the-art, indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facility designed specifically for disaster and humanitarian response. Comprising compact, self-contained medical modules, it can be quickly assembled into a fully functional field hospital capable of delivering advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries, intensive care support and essential medical treatment for up to 200 patients.

Equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation and oxygen support systems, the BHISHM Cube significantly enhances India’s capability to provide swift and effective medical assistance during humanitarian crises anywhere in the world.

The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad reflects India’s enduring commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and its readiness to extend timely support to friendly nations in times of crisis, they said.

Other than India, offers of rescue support and aid are pouring in for Venezuela. Four German military planes loaded with aid and rescue workers were on their way to Venezuela Friday.

Similarly, Spain and France too were sending specialists, while Switzerland has mobilised 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 18 tonnes of equipment, as per international reports.

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Published on June 26, 2026