Germany to Provide Airlift Support After Venezuela Quake

Germany has offered to deploy six military transport aircraft to support relief operations in Venezuela following a devastating earthquake that killed dozens of people and left hundreds injured.

In a statement, Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, said he was “deeply shocked” by the disaster and stressed the need for an immediate humanitarian response.

“It is crucial to provide swift assistance,” Pistorius said.

“The German armed forces stand ready and can make up to six A400M transport aircraft available at short notice as soon as support is requested from us.”

According to the minister, military crews are already preparing for a potential deployment. The aircraft could be used to transport rescue personnel, humanitarian workers, and emergency supplies from Germany to Venezuela, as well as support relief operations within the country.

Germany Provides Airlift Support After Venezuela Quake — A rescuer looks at the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas on June 24, 2026. Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the same area of Venezuela on the evening of June 24, causing buildings to collapse, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and AFP journalists. The quakes drove residents of the capital, Caracas, into the streets. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)

The offer comes as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors and provide aid to affected communities.

AFP reported that the German military’s A400M aircraft and crews have extensive experience in humanitarian missions. The planes were used to deliver relief supplies to Turkey following the 2023 earthquake and to airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza in 2024 and 2025.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the same region of Venezuela on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Rescue efforts have been hampered by widespread destruction, with entire buildings collapsing in the capital, Caracas. Authorities have also shut down the country’s main airport, further complicating relief and emergency response operations.

Author

Olayide Soaga

Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga is a Nigerian journalist with four years of professional experience. She reports on health, gender, education and development, with a focus on impact-driven storytelling.

She was runner-up for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Best Solutions Journalism Award in West Africa in 2024 and a finalist for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards.