Roughed up by two devastating hurricanes in the past two years, Jamaica has said that it is ready to participate in any regional relief effort to assist Venezuela following a deadly earthquake which hit the South American nation on Wednesday killing more than 160 people.

A government statement pointed to Jamaica’s deep empathy for countries and peoples hit by natural disasters following the billions of dollars in damage from Hurricane Melissa last October and Beryl which made landfall as a category four storm in mid-2024. In affecting Jamaica, Grenada, St, Vincent, Barbados, Haiti and Cuba, Beryl made history as the earliest forming system developing into as powerful a hurricane as it battered Grenada and its sister islands in late June. The annual hurricane season starts in early June.

“As a Caribbean nation that knows well the suddenness with which natural disasters can impact our region, Jamaica stands in full solidarity with Venezuela in this time of grief and recovery. The bonds of friendship and regional kinship that unite our peoples are never more deeply felt than in moments of shared adversity. The government noted that Jamaica stands ready to support the relief and recovery effort in whatever way it can, and joined the wider Caribbean and international community in offering assistance,” the statement noted. “Our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones, with the injured, and with the many still searching for those trapped beneath the rubble.”

More than 1,000 Venezuelans were injured when the quake struck late afternoon on Wednesday. Officials say that both the death toll and the number of those injured are expected to rise significantly.

The island is the first to signal readiness to help from a member of the 15-nation Caribbean Community with more expected in the coming days.

And speaking on behalf of governments on Thursday, the Guyana-based CARICOM secretariat expressed its deep sympathies for Venezuela but made no mention of any planned coordinated relief effort.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela during this time of immense grief and offer prayers for a swift recovery to the injured and displaced. CARICOM commends the tireless efforts of the emergency personnel, first responders, and citizens working under challenging conditions to rescue survivors and provide vital assistance. CARICOM wishes the people of Venezuela strength and resilience as they navigate this tragedy and begin the difficult process of recovery and reconstruction,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados meanwhile, also said her Eastern Caribbean island is ready to chip in with assistance.

“Venezuela is our neighbor, and in this Caribbean family, pain does not stop at the border. Barbados stands ready to assist in whatever way we can. To every family grieving, to those waiting for word of loved ones, and to the first responders working through fear and exhaustion, please know that you are not alone.”