Venezuela: Situation Report, July - August 2023 (15 Dec 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

• As of August 2023, the humanitarian response reached 1.7 million people (51% women) with some form of assistance in 24 states in Venezuela.

• As of 16 October, US$227.6 million has been mobilised for humanitarian assistance, with the Humanitarian Response Plan funded up to 30.5%.

• The UN System Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator visited Falcón and Zulia states in September to witness the progress of the humanitarian response.

• The United Nations System and humanitarian organizations present in the country jointly commemorated World Humanitarian Day on 19 August.

• The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator met with the Venezuelan Foreign Minister in the margins of the UN General Assembly.

BACKGROUND

Situation Overview

As of August 2023, the humanitarian response reached 1.7 million people (51% women) with some form of assistance in 308 municipalities and 24 states of Venezuela. The clusters that assisted the most people were: Health (1.2 million people), Food Security and Livelihoods (592,000 people), and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (550,000 people).

During the reporting period, the number of humanitarian organizations reporting their activities increased from 135 in June to 151 in August. The increase in the number of organizations reporting activities is most outstanding in the Food Security and Livelihoods cluster, which increased from 53 organizations in June to 69 in August, mostly in prioritized states.

The United Nations System Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator(RC/HC), Gianluca Rampolla, held a three-day visit to Falcon and Zulia states in early September. During his first visit to Falcón, he met with local authorities and the humanitarian community at the Local Coordination Forum and visited some projects implemented by UN agencies, funds, and programs. Additionally, he participated in a multi-sectoral care day for 150 people in the Trinchera community and exchanged with female leaders of the Quebrada de Hutten community. The RC/HC highlighted the achievements to date in addressing important needs and coordination with the authorities, which has promoted greater impact and sustainability.

While visiting Zulia, the RC/HC met with the local authorities and participated in the state's Multisectoral Technical Working Group. a coordination body in which UN agencies, NGOs, and the Governor's Office participate. During his participation in the events, the RC/HC highlighted the importance of articulated and complementary work between humanitarian organizations and authorities to address the needs of the most vulnerable population, in accordance with humanitarian principles.

The World Humanitarian Day in Venezuela was celebrated by the humanitarian community* with activities in Caracas, Zulia, and Mérida. In the case of Caracas, the UN System and humanitarian organizations brought services, activities, and information to some 200 people in the Antonio José de Sucre community in Petare. Additionally, urban artist Wolfgang Salazar, 'Badsura', painted a mural that reflects values such as humanity, solidarity, and friendship. The mural is a stepping stone for the community to become an artistic reference.

Finally, within the framework of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, met with the Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, having a chance to discuss the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and the response of the UN and its partners to support vulnerable populations.

*World Humanitarian Day has been commemorated every 19 August since 2009 to remember those humanitarian workers who have fallen in the line of duty. The date chosen stems from the attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq on the same date in 2003, when 22 UN staff were killed and many injured.