Lithuanian Emergency Response Team returned from Venezuela mission
Lithuanian Emergency Response Team (LERT), established by the State Fire and Rescue Service of Lithuania, participated for more than two weeks in an international search and rescue operation in Venezuela, La Guaira region, which was struck by one of the largest earthquakes in history. Overall, Lithuania sent two international assistance modules to Venezuela: the LERT and specialists from the Emergency Medical Team (EMT).
The LERT consisted of 20 officers from the State Fire and Rescue Service, 2 paramedics from the Emergency Medical Service, 2 dog handlers from the State Border Guard Service with their service dogs, and 3 logistics specialists. The EMT consisted of 20 specialists: 15 medical professionals from healthcare institutions across Lithuania and five logistics specialists from the State Fire and Rescue Service.
Lithuanian rescuers, together with international USAR (urban search and rescue) teams, carried out search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings, conducted reconnaissance operations, assessed the condition of structures, assisted in recovering the deceased from the rubble.
During the mission, the Lithuanian team spent nearly 80 hours conducting search and rescue operations in the rubble, collaborating with rescuers from Italy, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and other countries.
This was the second international search and rescue mission of this scale carried out by the LERT. The team was first deployed in 2023, when it carried out search and rescue operations in Turkey following devastating earthquakes.
Participation in such operations not only allows for assistance to be provided to countries affected by disasters but also strengthens the preparedness of the Lithuanian rescuers to respond to the most complex emergency situations.
The Lithuanian team was deployed to Venezuela through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism in response to Venezuela’s request for international assistance following devastating earthquakes.