Naveen’s Trusted Man VK Pandian Visits Earthquake-Hit Venezuela, Shares Odisha’s Disaster Management Experience

Bhubaneswar/Caracas: Former IAS officer VK Pandian visited earthquake-affected regions of Venezuela, where he met victims, rescue personnel and emergency responders engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

During his visit, Pandian has held a high-level meeting with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. The discussions focused on disaster preparedness, emergency response, rehabilitation and long-term recovery.

Pandian, the trusted man of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, shared Odisha’s and India’s experience in cyclone and disaster management, highlighting best practices in rescue operations, resilient reconstruction and community rehabilitation.

He travelled to some of the worst-affected areas to interact with bereaved families and frontline workers, and praised the dedication and resilience of rescue teams working under extremely challenging conditions.

Pandian also appreciated the humanitarian efforts of the Indian Army and the Army Medical Corps, saying he received positive feedback about their service to the affected people.

“Visited Earthquake-affected areas of Venezuela and met people and teams involved in rescue and recovery operations. Heartily appreciate each one of them standing with people in this terrible, challenging time,” he said in a social media post.

“Later met Honble President @delcyrodriguezv and shared our (#odisha #india) experiences and learning on rescue, recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.

He said he discussed with the Venezuelan President both immediate and long-term responses in disaster mitigation.

“Honble President’s faith in #sathyasaibaba is a strong spiritual connect with India. May HIS blessings bring peace and prosperity at the earliest,” Pandian said.

He also said that he received “great feedback” from the South American country about the Indian Army, which established a field hospital at the International La Rinconada Racetrack to provide comprehensive medical care to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck last month, killing more than 1,700 people.

Pandian also shared several photographs and videos from his visit to the disaster-hit nation.

The visit comes in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that reportedly struck Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction, heavy loss of life and large-scale displacement, with rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations continuing across the affected regions.