- A Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft has carried a 68-strong search and rescue team from RAF Brize Norton to Venezuela.
- RAF aircrew and logisticians worked rapidly to prepare freight and passengers including specialist drones and six search dogs.
- £2 million in UK emergency humanitarian funding supports the wider international response.
Search and rescue teams from fire and rescue services across the UK are on the ground in Venezuela, thanks to an RAF Voyager aircraft flying them to the disaster zone following the devastating earthquake.
Voyager aircraft departed RAF Brize Norton after RAF aircrew and logistics specialists worked at speed to prepare the aircraft and coordinate the deployment getting people and equipment to where they were needed most.
The UK’s first responder
The crew of the Voyager (engineers, cabin crew, air movements specialists, and security personnel) mobilised within 24 hours on Thursday. They transported firefighters, paramedics and specialist search and rescue dogs to Venezuela, giving rescue teams the best possible chance of finding survivors.
The Voyager force did not operate alone. Air transport, logistics, engineering, medical, and operations teams at RAF Brize Norton worked through the night to get the aircraft away on time.
“The reception from Venezuelan military and civilian counterparts was humbling. The Royal Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy people, equipment and humanitarian aid worldwide marks us as the UK government’s first responder of choice. This demonstrates the professionalism of our personnel and the vital role of strategic air mobility in delivering timely, lifesaving support to those most affected.”
Wing Commander Prager
Officer Commanding, 101 Squadron
Specialist Search and Rescue Teams
The Voyager carried specialist drones to assess structural collapses safely; six search dogs, and UK humanitarian field specialists including supply chain and security experts.
The search and rescue team was made up of firefighters and specialists from 14 Fire and Rescue Services across the UK, led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The team has previously rescued survivors from earthquake rubble in Türkiye and Morocco in 2023.
Further personnel are expected to join the rescue efforts and support the delivery and coordination of UK assistance on the ground.
Medical support
Members of the UK's Emergency Medical Team are also travelling to Venezuela to assess urgent health needs. Their findings will shape any further UK medical deployment in the days and weeks ahead.
Humanitarian funding
The UK has released £2 million in emergency humanitarian funding to support immediate life-saving activity and wider international coordination.
This deployment demonstrates the RAF's ability to get people and critical capabilities where they are needed, fast.
