Venezuela earthquakes: How India's armed forces have become a global first responder

The twin earthquakes in Venezuela have left a trail of death and destruction, with nearly a thousand deaths and well over that number yet to be accounted for. Rescue operations have begun in earnest in the oil-rich nation. India has sent a 41-member team from the famed 60 Parachute Field Ambulance to Venezuela, a country half the world away, aboard an Indian Air Force C-17 strategic transport aircraft.This is not the first time India's armed forces have carried out humanitarian rescue and relief missions beyond the country's borders. From responding to natural disasters to evacuating civilians from active war zones, the Army, Navy and Air Force have repeatedly stepped in to help citizens of other countries in need. These missions have highlighted India's ability to respond rapidly during emergencies.Operation Maitri, Nepal (2015)Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, India became the first country to send assistance. The Army and Air Force rescued thousands of people, established field hospitals and delivered essential relief supplies.Operation Raahat, Yemen (2015)During the civil war in Yemen, the Indian Navy and Air Force evacuated more than 4,700 Indians and nearly 2,000 foreign nationals from Aden. Citizens of over 40 countries were rescued in one of India's largest evacuation missions.Operation Sankat Mochan, South Sudan (2016)When fighting broke out in Juba, India airlifted 156 of its citizens to safety, carrying out the operation despite the difficult security situation.Operation Samudra Setu (2020)During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian Navy launched a major repatriation mission, bringing home thousands of stranded Indians by sea from Gulf countries and other regions.Operation Brahma, Myanmar (2025)Following a powerful earthquake, the Indian Army established a 60-bed field hospital. The Navy and Air Force also transported hundreds of tonnes of relief material.Operation Sagar Bandhu, Sri Lanka (2025)After Cyclone Ditwah, India helped restore communication links, evacuated more than 2,500 people and delivered over 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies.Operation Amistad, Venezuela (2026)Most recently, India dispatched two C-17 aircraft carrying a field hospital, 35 tonnes of relief supplies and a 41-member rescue team to assist victims of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.These Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations have repeatedly demonstrated that the Indian armed forces do much more than defend the nation's borders. The Indian Air Force has also regularly airlifted personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to disaster-hit areas both within India and abroad, reinforcing the country's capability to respond swiftly to humanitarian crises.