Venezuela Humanitarian Fund Annual Report 2022

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN

The 2022-2023 HRP requires $795 million to provide lifesaving assistance to 5.2 million people across Venezuela

7M
PEOPLE IN NEED
(2019 EST.)

5.2M
PEOPLE TARGETED

$795M
FUNDING REQUIREMENT

2022 in Review

HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Humanitarian situation in 2022

While 2022 showed some positive developments in Venezuela as the economy stabilized and showed signs of economic growth, these will take time to address the significant humanitarian challenges that have resulted from the large-scale economic contraction of the last eight years. The lack of investment in infrastructure limits the provision of essential services such as healthcare, clean water, education and energy supply. In addition, the most vulnerable people continue to have limited access to economic opportunities and income to meet their basic needs.

Feedback from the most vulnerable people indicate that access to food, livelihoods and healthcare continue to be major concerns.

Limited access to food, livelihoods, and healthcare

While food and non-food items are available in stores and markets, vulnerable families have difficulty accessing them because of their limited purchasing power because of high inflation (which reached 155.8 per cent in 2022). Increases in the monthly minimum wage (equivalent to $7) do not cover the basic family food basket, estimated at $377 in December 2022.

People living in rural areas with reduced access to fuel, and elderly people living on fixed incomes, are vulnerable. Food security and nutrition remain a priority—and while there have been some improvements, the prevalence of undernourishment remains high. The lack of livelihood opportunities and access to basic services causes the most vulnerable people to adopt negative coping mechanisms. such as reducing the number of meals or the quantity of food, using unsafe water for drinking, or engaging in informal economic activities.

Protection risk for vulnerable communities

People, especially those exposed to localized violence, face protection risks. Violence, exploitation, and abuse—including human trafficking—are a major concern, including for children and adolescents. There continues to be high rates of gender-based violence, especially femicides and intimate partner violence, whilst protection services are lacking.

The continued negative effects of COVID-19 on health services

In 2022, Venezuela experienced several increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths related to the Omicron variant. Following the last increase between June and July, the trend has declined since August 2022. After supporting the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health priorities have focused on restoring essential health services, especially for chronic diseases, access to sexual and reproductive health, and implementation of the regular vaccination program.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic factors, access to health care is significantly disrupted. Health services continue to be affected by insufficient water and sanitation conditions and the lack of electricity supply in facilities.

Disease surveillance is limited, and cases are under-reported. Teenage pregnancies reached 82 expected births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years—more than double the regional rate.

The pandemic negatively affected mental health, with several humanitarian partners reporting an increase in the need for psychosocial support consultations, especially for children and adolescents.

Return to in-person classes

The return to in-person classes at the end of 2021 has been challenging and required significant support in 2022. This included ensuring safe learning conditions in educational facilities (including rehabilitation and restoration of basic services), improving teaching conditions, and supporting children out of school or at risk of dropping out. While school meal programs have helped to promote school attendance and retention, humanitarian partners continue to observe an increase in school dropouts—especially among adolescents, who leave to seek work or because of pregnancy.

Humanitarian access

Humanitarian access improved in 2022, with a greater willingness of local authorities to engage in some states previously considered as hard-to-reach. This has led to a greater number of organizations operating in states such as Delta Amacuro, Amazonas and Sucre.

Technical working groups have been established with authorities in some states, which has led to a better articulation with public institutions at the operational level. However, access challenges remain, mainly associated with logistical issues, administrative and bureaucratic impediments, localized insecurity and violence, and impediments related to climate, terrain, supply or lack of infrastructure (such as limited access to fuel, service failures, as well as heavy rains affecting roads).

Migration flows

Mixed migratory flows continue, including people intending to leave, returnees and/or people moving back and forth between Colombia and Venezuela. Most people leaving the country do so mainly in search of work, while those returning, a growing trend, intend to re-unify with family or because they faced difficulties in the host country.

Floods

Intensified by climate change, the 2022 rainy season, which began in May and lasted until December, severely affected tens of thousands of people because of overflowing rivers, landslides and floods that destroyed homes in high-risk areas.

In October, landslides in the town of Las Tejerías, in the state of Aragua, killed 56 people and destroyed over 750 houses. These rains devastated small producers, reducing access to productive land, damaging small businesses and warehouses, and causing the loss of crops.