GTRCMC stands in solidarity with Venezuela following devastating earthquakes, calls for coordinated resilience response

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck on Wednesday, June 24.

The Centre joins the Government of Jamaica, CARICOM, regional partners, international humanitarian agencies, and the wider global community in expressing support for the people of Venezuela during this difficult period.

“On behalf of the GTRCMC, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and to all those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected. Venezuela is our neighbour, our partner, and part of the wider Caribbean and Latin American family. In moments of crisis, resilience must be expressed not only in words, but in coordinated action, compassion, and practical support,” stated Minister of Tourism of Jamaica and founder and co-chair of the GTRCMC, Ed Bartlett.

Bartlett also confirmed that he has reached out directly to Venezuela’s Minister of Tourism to convey Jamaica’s solidarity and to offer the support of Jamaica’s tourism community as recovery efforts advance. He noted that while immediate humanitarian priorities rightly remain the focus, Jamaica stands ready to share its experience in tourism resilience, crisis recovery, destination restoration, and stakeholder coordination whenever such assistance may be helpful.

Bartlett noted that earthquakes and other sudden disasters remind the region of the urgent need to strengthen preparedness, emergency response, infrastructure resilience, and recovery systems.

“Tourism-dependent and community-based economies are especially vulnerable when disasters disrupt transport, public services, housing, health systems, cultural assets, and visitor confidence. The task ahead is not only to rebuild, but to build back safer, stronger, and more resilient,” Bartlett added.

Over 1500 people have been confirmed dead and over 50,000 are still missing from the magnitude 7 quake that collapsed multiple buildings in the South American country.

Professor Lloyd Waller, executive director of the GTRCMC, emphasised that the centre stands ready to support recovery planning and resilience-building efforts.

“The GTRCMC is prepared to offer technical support in crisis management, destination recovery planning, resilience assessment, communications strategy, and coordination with regional and international partners. As Venezuela moves from immediate response to recovery, it will be important to protect lives, restore confidence, support affected communities, and ensure that rebuilding strengthens long-term resilience.” Waller stated.

“Resilience is the capacity to absorb shock, recover with dignity, and emerge better prepared for future crises. The people of Venezuela have demonstrated strength in difficult circumstances before, and with regional and international solidarity, they will recover and rebuild,” he further stated.
The GTRCMC calls for continued humanitarian cooperation, unobstructed support for emergency response efforts, protection of vulnerable communities, and coordinated assistance across health, shelter, food security, transport, tourism, and public infrastructure systems.
The centre also encourages regional institutions, tourism stakeholders, universities, development agencies, and private-sector partners to support Venezuela’s recovery through expertise, relief assistance, logistics, research, and resilience planning.
The GTRCMC remains committed to working with partners across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the wider international community to strengthen disaster preparedness, crisis response, and recovery capacity.
At this moment of grief and uncertainty, the centre reaffirms a central principle of resilience: crises may shake nations, but solidarity, preparation, and collective action help communities rise again.