A mother has died protecting her daughter during a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the Venezuelan state of Mérida on Monday, as the British government announced an emergency aid package for the region. The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, has killed at least 12 people and injured more than 50, according to local authorities.
Witnesses reported that the mother, identified by local media as Maria Fernanda Rojas, threw herself over her seven-year-old daughter as masonry collapsed in their home in the town of El Vigía. The child survived with minor injuries. The incident has become a symbol of the human cost of the disaster, which has left hundreds homeless in a country already grappling with economic collapse.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that a team of humanitarian specialists from the UK’s Rapid Response Facility will depart for Caracas within 24 hours, carrying emergency shelter kits, water purification tablets and medical supplies. The aid, valued at £2 million, is part of a coordinated international effort coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela at this difficult time,” said a Foreign Office spokesperson. “This support reflects the UK’s commitment to helping those in need, regardless of political circumstances.” The announcement comes amid strained diplomatic relations between London and Caracas, with the British government having imposed sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials in 2020.
The earthquake struck in the Andean foothills, a seismically active zone. The United States Geological Survey recorded the epicentre near the city of Mérida, a popular tourist destination. Rescue teams have been working through the night to search for survivors trapped beneath rubble. Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, with reports of power outages and shortages of basic medical supplies.
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro declared a state of emergency in three states and appealed for international assistance. “This is a tragedy that compounds the difficulties we already face,” he said in a televised address. The country’s infrastructure, already weakened by years of underinvestment and political turmoil, has been further tested by the quake.
The British aid package includes funding for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is deploying search-and-rescue teams and setting up temporary shelters. The UK’s Department for International Development has also seconded a logistics expert to the UN disaster assessment team.
International solidarity has been swift. The United States, China and the European Union have also pledged assistance. However, concerns remain about the ability of aid organisations to operate effectively in Venezuela, where state control over distribution channels has sometimes impeded humanitarian work.
For now, the focus remains on the immediate rescue efforts. The story of Maria Fernanda Rojas, who gave her life for her daughter, has resonated across the country. Her child has been taken into care by extended family. The quake serves as a stark reminder of nature’s indifference to human political strife.
