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Venezuela earthquakes, is £2million all the UK can afford to send for the relief effort?

(32 Posts)
Rosie51 Fri 26-Jun-26 09:02:46

It doesn't seem much to send when there's been such devastation.

Sago Fri 26-Jun-26 09:09:46

I agree but I don’t think there is much money in the pot🤔.

Oreo Fri 26-Jun-26 10:12:19

There will be other countries to step in and help am sure.

Rosie51 Fri 26-Jun-26 10:20:00

Other countries are Oreo but Venezuela is really struggling and there are still people who may be alive who could be rescued. One woman was pulled out alive today. They're desperate for medical supplies, and I just think we could do more.

Oreo Fri 26-Jun-26 10:21:48

The other South American countries are nearer for fast practical help and the US.
Am sure they will all step up.

AGAA4 Fri 26-Jun-26 10:59:15

The US is sending a substantial amount.

MayBee70 Fri 26-Jun-26 13:48:49

AGAA4

The US is sending a substantial amount.

Well Trump rules the country now doesn’t he after his invasion so he should pay.

AGAA4 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:26:55

Yes of course he should.

Rosie51 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:30:17

When it is lives at stake I don't care one iota for politics, either we're humanitarians or we're not.

Jaxjacky Fri 26-Jun-26 14:50:55

It has one of the most corrupt governments in the world, how much aid actually reaches those who despise need it, particularly if ‘cash’, will be far less than sent.

Imarocker Fri 26-Jun-26 14:55:24

It’s not just a question of being humanitarian. How much do you think we should send to South Sudan? To be blunt, should we cut welfare benefits, the defence budget or education? We would have a lot of spare cash if we didn’t give the royal family £300 million a year

valdali Fri 26-Jun-26 15:08:24

The £2m will be augmented by donations to Red Cross etc from individuals & private companies, hopefully.
I'm in both camps, it's not enough but public finances are in a mess.
The money Trump's spent on a fruitless bid for regime change in Iran could've been well-spent on this natural disaster.

Rosie51 Sun 28-Jun-26 00:08:22

I'm pleased we finally on Friday sent out rescue workers. The 72 hour window for finding live survivors is rapidly coming to an end,
The death toll from Venezuela's earthquakes is now 1,430, with 3,238 injured, and this figure will continue to rise. If you can watch the rescue of a new born baby handed to its father without feeling total compassion then I have nothing further to add. The mother was reputedly rescued moments later.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c30yv0jp2nyt

I'm amazed there are no other threads on GN about this tragedy. Do Venezuelans not count when it comes to concern and compassion?

Wyllow3 Sun 28-Jun-26 00:23:01

She was rescued just after baby, ITV news had pictures.

Yes the government had not been a good one but the USA had crippled them with sanctions too. They can certainly shell out lots.

Rosie51 Sun 28-Jun-26 00:33:17

But if USA decides not to shell out lots. then it's OK for the rest of the world to just shrug their shoulders? I despair, so much for kindness!

MaizieD Sun 28-Jun-26 08:21:21

I'm amazed there are no other threads on GN about this tragedy. Do Venezuelans not count when it comes to concern and compassion?

I’m sorry, Rosie, but I’m sure that many Gnetters are able feel concern and compassion for the victims of any natural or manmade disaster, even to contribute to appeals for financial aid, without having to parade their compassion credentials on a Gnet thread.

Rosie51 Sun 28-Jun-26 08:27:13

I'm not parading any compassion credentials at all, but I'll look out for you making the same comment to other posters who express their concern for a different disaster.

Oreo Sun 28-Jun-26 08:27:27

I think Rosie51 means by governments rather than us on here.

Oreo Sun 28-Jun-26 08:31:00

It’s great to see that so many have been rescued from under the rubble, the dogs they use are amazing.The scale of it is just so awful.

Casdon Sun 28-Jun-26 08:49:08

It was 11pm on 24th June in UK when the earthquake happened, and the severity was not understood until the morning of 25th in Venezuela, which is 5 hours behind UK. The UK 68 man rescue team was confirmed and boarded a flight on 26th, which must have taken a lot of organising.

The rescue team is in addition to the £2m, and the funding appeals the Red Cross and other charities are also open if anybody wants help directly.

Basgetti Sun 28-Jun-26 11:40:39

AGAA4

The US is sending a substantial amount.

As it should after its recent intervention.

Tuliptree Sun 28-Jun-26 11:44:40

The government also made it clear that the £2m is an initial contribution

Margiknot Sun 28-Jun-26 12:28:25

I think the British Red Cross released aid and funds ( which it holds for disasters ) immediately.
Yes we should of course offer what help we can as a nation.

Grantanow Sun 28-Jun-26 15:07:04

Venezuela was a corrupt regime. I'm glad the UK is helping but let's be sure the local politicians are not lining their pockets.

Tuliptree Sun 28-Jun-26 15:09:55

Grantanow

Venezuela was a corrupt regime. I'm glad the UK is helping but let's be sure the local politicians are not lining their pockets.

That’s why help is usually given in kind - rescue workers, doctors, tents etc The big relief organisations such as the Red Cross are fully aware and well experienced in working in such situations