Caracas, June 28 (SANA)A Syrian search-and-rescue team arrived in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Sunday evening to participate in humanitarian relief operations following the devastatingearthquakesthat struck the country last week, in what marks Syria’s first-ever international disaster response mission.

The 15-member team, affiliated with theMinistry of Emergency and Disaster Management, deployed under directives from President Ahmad al-Sharaa and in coordination with the Foreign Ministry. The specialists are equipped with individual search-and-rescue gear and are working alongside Qatar’s International Rescue Team (Lekhwiya), which is providing heavy machinery and operational equipment.

The Syrian delegation was received at Caracas International Airport by Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia, the Middle East and Oceania Andrea Corao, who expressed her country’s deep appreciation for Syria’s solidarity. Syria’s and Qatar’s ambassadors to Venezuela were also present at the reception.

The mission marks a “historic milestone” in Syrian humanitarian work, representing the first time Syria has deployed a national search-and-rescue team on an international mission of this scale. The deployment comes as Syria’s new government seeks broader international engagement following years of war and isolation.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struckVenezuelaon Wednesday, June 24, just 39 seconds apart, causing widespread destruction including building collapses in Caracas and several states. The death toll has risen to at least 1,430, with thousands more injured and many still missing. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 44 international urban search-and-rescue teams from across the globe have deployed to Venezuela at the government’s request.