Burnaby Rescue Team Deployed to Venezuela After Earthquakes: Seven USAR Members Join Search & Rescue Mission

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Seven members of the Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue team have been deployed to Venezuela to assist in search and rescue operations following a series of deadly earthquakes, according to a statement from the organization. The deployment, confirmed by the team’s leadership, marks the first international mission for the group in over a decade.

.The earthquakes, which struck the northern coast of Venezuela in late June 2026, have left at least 120 people dead and hundreds more missing, according to the Venezuelan National Emergency Commission (CNE). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 6.8 quake on June 24, followed by multiple aftershocks that destabilized infrastructure in the Zulia and Táchira regions.

.The Burnaby team, part of Canada’s federal disaster response network, will work alongside local emergency services and international aid groups to locate survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. “Our priority is to support the affected communities and provide specialized technical expertise,” said Sarah Mitchell, a spokesperson for Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue. “We are coordinating closely with Venezuelan authorities to ensure our efforts align with on-the-ground needs.”

.The Venezuelan government has accepted the Canadian assistance, with Interior Minister Yelitza Rojas stating in a televised address that “international solidarity is critical as we confront this humanitarian crisis.” However, the country’s ongoing economic and political instability has complicated relief efforts. Venezuela’s hyperinflation rate reached 1,200% in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and many regions lack basic infrastructure, exacerbating the impact of the earthquakes.

.The Burnaby team’s involvement follows a pattern of Canadian disaster relief in Latin America. In 2021, Canadian search and rescue units assisted in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Haiti, and in 2023, the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to Colombia to support flood recovery. However, this mission represents a shift in focus toward Venezuela, a country that has historically received limited international disaster response.

.According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 500,000 Venezuelans have been displaced by the earthquakes, with many fleeing to border regions in Colombia and Brazil. The UN has appealed for $250 million in emergency funding, but as of late June, only 15% of the requested amount had been pledged.

.The Burnaby team’s equipment includes thermal imaging cameras, ground-penetrating radar, and canine units trained to detect human remains. Members underwent specialized training in high-altitude and urban search scenarios ahead of the deployment. The team is expected to remain in Venezuela for at least six weeks, with plans to rotate personnel every three weeks to manage fatigue.

.Venezuela’s earthquake crisis has drawn attention to the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. A 2020 study by the Latin American and Caribbean Center for Risk Management (CLARO) found that 70% of the population lives in areas prone to seismic activity, yet only 12% of municipalities have formal disaster preparedness plans. The current earthquakes have further exposed gaps in emergency response, with reports of delayed aid distribution and inadequate shelter for displaced families.

.The Canadian government has not yet announced financial support for the mission, but Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated in a June 26 press briefing that “Canada stands with the people of Venezuela during this tragic time.” The Department of National Defence confirmed that the Burnaby team is operating under a mandate from the Global Peace Operations Initiative, which funds international disaster response missions.

.Local residents in affected areas have expressed gratitude for the Canadian aid. “We were desperate,” said Luis Mendoza, a resident of San Cristóbal, Táchira state. “The Canadian team arrived within 48 hours. That’s more than we’ve seen from our own government.”

.The deployment has also sparked debate within Canada about the role of international disaster response. Some critics argue that resources should focus on domestic emergencies, while others highlight the strategic importance of strengthening ties with Latin American nations. “This mission is about more than just rescue—it’s about building partnerships that benefit both countries,” said Dr. Alejandro Ruiz, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia.

.As of June 27, the Burnaby team has assisted in locating 17 survivors in the San Cristóbal area, according to a statement from the CNE. The group has also begun assessing the structural integrity of damaged buildings to prevent further casualties.

.The earthquakes have compounded Venezuela’s existing challenges, including food shortages and a healthcare system in collapse. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 80% of the country’s hospitals lack essential medical supplies, and over 40% of the population faces acute food insecurity.

.With the rainy season approaching, concerns remain about secondary disasters such as landslides and flooding. The Burnaby team has pledged to adapt its operations to address these risks, working with meteorologists to monitor weather patterns.

.The international response to the earthquakes has been mixed. While the European Union announced a €50 million aid package on June