Lithuania dispatched rescue and medical teams to earthquake-hit Venezuela on Sunday after the government approved an aid mission.
The mission consists of two units, with the first comprising of 20 rescuers, two border guard dog handlers with canines and two medics. The second includes 15 medics and five logistics specialists. Approximately 20 tonnes of medical and humanitarian aid are also being sent.
Lithuania was the ninth European country to send aid to Venezuela, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre.The rescuers and medics departed for Germany on Sunday, from where they will be flown to Venezuela aboard German Air Force aircraft.A cargo of approximately 20 tonnes of humanitarian and medical aid will also be delivered to Venezuela.Gediminas Šukšta, head of Lithuania's first international aid mission to Venezuela, said the volunteer-based team's objective is to reach earthquake-affected areas and rescue people trapped under the rubble.The duration of the mission will depend on the situation in Venezuela, local needs and the development of the international operation.The first team is expected to remain in the country for at least one week, while the second is planned to stay for two weeks.
