President Museveni has conveyed Uganda’s condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that have claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands injured.
In a message issued on Friday, Mr Museveni said Uganda stood in solidarity with the South American nation as it grapples with one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history.
“On behalf of the Government and the People of Uganda, I wish to convey heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of Venezuela, upon suffering a natural catastrophe i.e. the big magnitude earthquakes (Musisi - in our local Luganda dialect), that hit parts of your Country; and caused colossal loss of life, multiple casualties and damage to property and infrastructure,” Mr Museveni said.
He added: “At this trying moment, the People of Uganda commiserate and stand in solidarity, with their Venezuelan Brothers and Sisters; and wish quick recuperation to those who sustained physical injuries. We pray that the ongoing search and rescue efforts succeed in preventing the already high death toll from escalating.”
The President’s message comes as Venezuela remains under a nationwide state of emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country’s north-central coast on Wednesday.
The back-to-back tremors, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, are regarded as the country’s strongest earthquake event in more than a century. Authorities say hundreds have been confirmed dead, while more than 4,300 others have been injured.
Rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings amid fears that the death toll could rise.
The worst destruction has been reported in the coastal state of La Guaira, where more than 100 buildings collapsed, affecting tens of thousands of families. In the capital, Caracas, numerous residential buildings suffered severe structural damage, forcing many residents to spend nights outdoors or in their vehicles for fear of aftershocks.
Mr Museveni acknowledged the immense suffering caused by the disaster.
“The grief and loss that have been occasioned by these earthquakes is unimaginable; and therefore, as you come to terms with its devastating effects and mourn the loss of your loved ones, our hearts and prayers are with you.”
He concluded his message by praying for the victims, saying: “May the Almighty God grant eternal rest to the departed souls.”
The earthquakes also caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure, disrupting electricity and water supply in several areas. More than 250 buildings have either been destroyed or severely damaged, while preliminary estimates suggest the disaster could cost between one and seven per cent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of emergency shortly after the disaster. The Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía remains closed to commercial traffic because of infrastructure damage, although it continues to receive humanitarian relief flights.
Several countries and international organisations, including the United Nations, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba and Turkey, have deployed humanitarian assistance and urban search-and-rescue teams to support Venezuela’s emergency response.
