BRASILIA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday pledged to send a search and rescue team to quake-hit Venezuela, following a phone call with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, in the wake of the two powerful earthquakes that struck on Wednesday.
"I spoke by phone today with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, to express the Brazilian government's solidarity with the Venezuelan people affected by Wednesday's earthquakes and to determine the best way to provide support to the neighboring country," Lula said on X.
A Brazilian Air Force KC-390 aircraft is scheduled to depart from Guarulhos International Airport on Friday, carrying a team of 36 firefighters, four National Civil Defense technicians, and four specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency, said Lula.
The aircraft will also transport nine tonnes of equipment to bolster search and rescue operations for victims trapped in the rubble of toppled buildings.
Aid efforts will continue Saturday with a second flight transporting equipment to set up a field hospital, 100 solar-powered water purifiers, medicine, and medical supplies for surgeries, he added.
"We will continue to monitor the progress of relief efforts for the victims in order to provide all necessary support to our Venezuelan brothers and sisters," he said. ■
