Swiss rescue team returns from Venezuela empty-handed as earthquake death toll rises to 2,595

The disaster

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June, devastating coastal areas and leaving a trail of destruction. The death toll has climbed to 2,595 according to acting president Delcy Rodriguez, though earlier reports had cited over 1,450 dead. The United Nations estimates that 50,000 people remain missing, while the number of injured ranges between 3,150 and over 11,000 depending on the source. At least 2,500 structures were damaged, including 38 hospitals and more than 700 buildings, with the coastal city of La Guaira among the hardest hit.

Swiss rescue mission returns

Switzerland's rescue chain, one of the first non-Latin American teams to arrive, deployed 80 specialists and eight search dogs to La Guaira on 26 June. Working around the clock in hot and humid conditions, the team was unable to locate any survivors. They recovered only bodies from collapsed buildings that were up to 12 storeys high.

We worked day and night. Unfortunately we couldn't bring any positive news to the relatives.

It was terrible what we saw there, the misery. But we are grateful that we could go and give hope, and we came back safe.

The team landed at Zurich airport on Thursday afternoon to applause from firefighters and a water-cannon salute. Brigadier Niels Blatter praised their professionalism and willingness to help under extremely challenging conditions.

Humanitarian aid and fundraising

Switzerland is now shifting its focus to humanitarian relief. A five-person team from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) departed on Thursday evening to support local authorities with drinking water and sanitation. The SDC has allocated 2.5 million francs for the effort. Meanwhile, the Swiss Solidarity charity raised 10,032,254 francs during a national day of action opened by President Guy Parmelin. The canton of Bern released 250,000 francs and the city of Geneva 50,000 francs for the victims.

Diaspora mobilisation and challenges

The Venezuelan community in Switzerland is also organising aid, but faces deep distrust of official channels. Barbara Soto, president of the Alliance of Venezuelans in Switzerland, stressed the need to bypass the government and work with trusted local partners.

Some institutions transfer funds directly to the regime, which causes great distrust among Venezuelans. The challenge is to channel aid so that it reaches the people directly and doesn't stay in the pockets of the regime.

Venezuela was already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis before the earthquakes, with nearly 8 million people in need of assistance according to the UN. The country saw a change of government in January when Nicolas Maduro left office.