The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ministry of Defence have announced an initial £2 million humanitarian package and a 68-strong UK search and rescue deployment to support Venezuela after devastating earthquakes.
The deployment left from RAF Brize Norton on 26 June 2026, supported by Royal Air Force personnel and a Voyager aircraft carrying specialist rescue equipment. The UK International Search and Rescue team includes firefighters, technical specialists and six search dogs.
The response also includes members of the UK humanitarian field team and an advance team from the UK Emergency Medical Team. Their work will support rescue operations, urgent health assessment and coordination with local and international partners in Venezuela.
UK Announces Emergency Support For Venezuela
The UK is releasing £2 million in initial humanitarian funding to support immediate response work after the earthquakes in Venezuela. The package is intended to assist life-saving activity and wider coordination as rescue and relief operations continue.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is leading the humanitarian response, with the Ministry of Defence supporting the deployment through RAF transport and logistics. The announcement brings together funding, search and rescue capability, medical assessment and field coordination.
- Funding: £2 million for immediate humanitarian response and coordination.
- Deployment: UK rescue personnel sent to support life-saving operations.
- Medical assessment: UK EMT advance team travelling to assess health needs.
Search And Rescue Team Deploys From RAF Brize Norton
A 68-strong UK International Search and Rescue team departed from RAF Brize Norton on a Voyager aircraft. The team includes six specialist search dogs and personnel trained to locate and assist people trapped after major structural collapse.
RAF aircrew and logisticians prepared the aircraft and coordinated the movement of personnel and equipment. The flight also carries members of the UK humanitarian field team, including supply chain, humanitarian and security specialists.
UK Deployment Overview
| Element | Detail | Attribution |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue team | 68 personnel | FCDO and MOD |
| Search dogs | Six specialists | UK ISAR deployment |
| Aircraft | RAF Voyager | Royal Air Force |
Specialist Equipment Supports Life-Saving Operations
The aircraft is carrying specialist drones to support safe assessment of damaged structures. The drones can help identify collapsed areas, compromised roofs and hazards before rescue teams enter affected sites.
The equipment is intended to help direct rescue teams and reduce risks during operations on the ground. UK personnel will work with local and international partners as search and rescue activity continues.
- Drones: Support assessment of damaged structures and unsafe areas.
- Dogs: Assist searches for people trapped beneath rubble.
- Field specialists: Support logistics, security and humanitarian coordination.
UK Medical Team To Assess Urgent Needs
Experts from the UK Emergency Medical Team are also travelling to Venezuela to assess urgent health needs. Their assessment will help determine whether further UK medical support is required in the coming days and weeks.
The UK EMT members will also support wider international coordination by identifying immediate health priorities. UK-Med is the delivery partner for the UK Emergency Medical Team, which is funded by the FCDO.
UK ISAR Capability And Fire Service Role
UK ISAR is part of the UK’s National Resilience capability and remains on permanent standby for overseas disaster response. It deploys on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office when countries affected by natural disasters need international support.
The team is made up of firefighters and specialists from 14 UK Fire and Rescue Services. This deployment is led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, with experience drawn from previous operations in Türkiye and Morocco in 2023.
Response Organisations
| Organisation | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| FCDO | Funds response | Leads UK aid |
| MOD | Supports transport | RAF deployment |
| UK EMT | Assesses health needs | Medical planning |
Emergency Funding Supports Wider Humanitarian Response
The £2 million package will support immediate life-saving activity and coordination with established humanitarian partners. The UK said the funding sits alongside wider emergency response mechanisms, including support through international disaster funds.
The announcement said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund has allocated funding for the Venezuelan Red Cross. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has also made an allocation to provide immediate humanitarian assistance for urgent needs.
Ministerial Comments
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said;
“My thoughts are with the people of Venezuela following this week’s devastating earthquakes. The UK stands in solidarity with all those affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said;
“The UK today has sent support to Venezuela following these devastating earthquakes. Our specialist search and rescue teams are deploying to help save lives, and we are providing a £2 million package to support the humanitarian response.”
Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said;
“Our Armed Forces have moved quickly to support the UK’s humanitarian response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, transporting specialist search and rescue personnel and equipment to assist life-saving efforts on the ground.”
The UK response combines emergency funding, RAF transport, search and rescue capability and medical assessment. UK ISAR personnel will work alongside local and international partners in Venezuela, while the UK EMT advance team reviews urgent health needs. The funding package will also support wider humanitarian coordination through established emergency response mechanisms and partner organisations.
Sources: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Ministry of Defence, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
