Komparatif.ID, Banda Aceh,Indonesia – The Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf (Mualem), responded to the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela and claimed thousands of lives. “The Government of Aceh expresses deep sorrow and condolences, hoping that Venezuela can recover swiftly,” said Mualem on Thursday (July 2, 2026).
Through the Aceh Government Spokesperson, Dr. Nurlis Effendi, the Governor urged all Acehnese citizens to pray for the safety and health of the twin earthquakes survivors. “This concerns a humanitarian tragedy. Anyone with the means is encouraged to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela during this time of grief,” he said.
It was also conveyed that Governor Mualem fully understands the heavy burden currently faced by the Venezuelan Government. “We once experienced a devastating tsunami disaster,” Nurlis stated.
On December 26, 2004, a 9.1–9.3 Mw magnitude earthquake centered in the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami wave that claimed over 170,000 lives in Aceh. One of the countries that aided Aceh at that time was the Government of Venezuela. Their assistance included a humanitarian fund worth 2 million United States dollars for infrastructure recovery, medical services, and emergency handling of survivors during Aceh’s emergency response and reconstruction period.
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A lasting footprint of Venezuela’s aid to Aceh is the establishment of the Indonesia-Venezuela Polytechnic (Poliven) in Aceh Besar. The inclusion of Venezuela’s name on the campus is a form of appreciation for the humanitarian aid and cooperation provided by the Venezuelan Government during the post-tsunami reconstruction period in 2004.
Currently, the devastating twin earthquakes measuring Mw 7.2 and Mw 7.5 have triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Centered in San Felipe, Yaracuy, the disaster that struck on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) has killed at least 2,295 people as of Thursday (July 2, 2026). The Venezuelan Government has declared a state of emergency and a seven-day period of national mourning due to the impact of these twin earthquakes.
Additionally, 11,267 people are reported injured, and 43,251 people remain missing under the rubble. Schools are closed, healthcare workers are overwhelmed handling victims, and the twin earthquakes have caused widespread infrastructure destruction, including operational damage to Simón Bolívar International Airport and the Port of La Guaira.
The Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), has expressed deep condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela over the twin earthquakes disaster. Indonesia has joined 24 other nations in providing international humanitarian solidarity for Venezuela’s recovery efforts.
Amidst extending condolences to the people of Venezuela, the Aceh Government is also currently handling hydrometeorological disasters that have hit several districts/cities since late June 2026. The disasters, consisting of floods, landslides, and strong winds, have caused damage to houses, public facilities, and infrastructure, affecting thousands of residents. Consequently, the Aceh Government continues to coordinate emergency responses with district/city governments and all relevant parties to ensure the needs of affected communities are well met. []
