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Venezuela

Venezuela: 2023 IFRC network annual report, Jan-Dec (23 August 2024)

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OVERALL PROGRESS

Context

Venezuela is currently classified as a complex crisis with nearly 70 per cent of the Venezuelan population living in multidimensional poverty. Despite the economic progress in 2022, the country experienced a deceleration in 2023, registering an annual inflation rate of 283 per cent. This has worsened the already precarious economic and social conditions.

The most pressing needs remain in the health sector, mainly due to the limited availability of specialized equipment and a shortage of qualified staff because of reduced investment. The absence of official data makes it difficult to monitor health trends. By 2023, it was estimated that the health system would lose 70 per cent of its response capacity, negatively impacting the population's health. Although medical supplies are available in local markets, their high-cost limits access to medicine and equipment.

In 2023, Venezuela recorded the highest rate of food inflation, which, combined with the loss of purchasing power, makes it difficult for the population to meet their basic food needs. Over the past year, the inequality gap has widened, particularly in major cities. The most vulnerable populations are children under five years old, pregnant women, and the elderly. They face the most visible signs of acute malnutrition and protection risks.

In 2023, out of the 7.7 million Venezuelans who immigrated, an estimated 4 million relocated to Latin America and the Caribbean. Pendular movements persist and are expected to continue as regulatory migratory policies are implemented in several countries. The most common route remains the Darien Gap where over half of the migrants were from Venezuela.

Key achievements

Climate and environment

The Venezuelan Red Cross made significant strides in addressing the climate and environmental crisis including initiating the development of a disaster risk management proposal focusing on mitigating climate and environmental impacts and focusing on nature-based solutions, set for completion by the end of 2023. The National Society also trained volunteers across six branches in the enhanced vulnerability and capacity assessment (eVCA) tool and the nexus environment assessment tool (NEAT+).

Disasters and crises

The Venezuelan Red Cross Society continued to support those hit hardest by crises and disasters. The support included two responses supported by IFRC through its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) mechanism for floods and anticipatory action. The National Society deployed humanitarian action to support 7,000 people during the flooding in 5 states. The National Society also assisted approximately 2,500 people through anticipatory actions for floods. Based on the lessons learned in previous operations, the National Society promoted anticipatory actions both at the National Society and community level to mitigate the impacts of a potential emergency. Readiness activities and training were carried out for anticipated needs such as health; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and protection, gender and inclusion (PGI).

Health and wellbeing

The Venezuelan Red Cross provided primary healthcare to vulnerable populations through community health days and mobile health units in various states. The National Society provided timely and effective assistance to people who faced high levels of vulnerability and difficulties in accessing basic services. It also provided specialized services such as gynaecology, dentistry, or psychology through its health network.

Migration and displacement

In 2023, the Venezuelan Red Cross prioritized the provision of care or referral services and offered guidance at mobile and fixed points along the migration route. Guidance was provided on gender-based violence and human trafficking, as well as basic or essential local care services.

Values, power, and inclusion

The Venezuelan Red Cross trained volunteers on minimum protection standards in emergencies, human trafficking and gender-based violence, and, with support from other organizations, sensitized them on sexual violence and safe referral routes. One of the main tasks of the National Society was to monitor data collection and management at the branch level while promoting the policy on the prevention of sexual harassment as well as the code of conduct.

Enabling local actors

Since August 2023, the Venezuelan Red Cross has been undergoing a restructuring process, guided by an Ad Hoc Restructuring Board appointed, following a mandate from Venezuela's Supreme Court for a "broad and diverse restructuring". Since then, prioritization on this process was ensured by the Venezuelan Red Cross and the IFRC, where four key priority areas of work were identified: ensuring the protection and integrity of volunteers through safeguarding mechanisms, reviewing the legal framework through the revision of its statutes, ensuring the continuity of humanitarian actions through the strengthening of the National society capacities, and renewing and legitimizing the roles of authorities in an election process. The main objectives include conducting an internal analysis of existing safeguarding mechanisms and using the lessons learned to promote coordinated actions between the Venezuelan Red Cross and the IFRC.