HIGHLIGHTS
The United Nations and other humanitarian actors continue to respond to humanitarian needs across the country. Among other achievements, more than 141,000 vulnerable people have accessed safe water between May and August 2019; almost 31,000 students benefited from educational activities in 291 schools in August 2019; in July and August 2019, 200,000 people benefitted from medicines and medical supplies, more than 17,400 people received specialized protection services and 50,000 people benefited from food security related activities, such as food distribution and production.
The Humanitarian Coordinator visited the prioritized states of Zulia, Táchira and Bolivar and presented the Humanitarian Response Plan to local actors. A greater understanding of humanitarian needs was obtained, achievements of the ongoing response were verified and, together with the humanitarian community, the challenges of expanding activities were identified.
Coordination is being strengthened at the sub-national level, with the establishment of field coordination hubs in Caracas, San Cristobal, Ciudad Guayana and Maracaibo. In August, 48 humanitarian actors were trained in coordination and humanitarian principles in Ciudad Guayana and Caracas.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, approved an allocation of US$10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for Venezuela, in support of the Humanitarian Response Plan, with a focus on health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
On 19 August, during the celebration of World Humanitarian Day, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Venezuela made a statement in which he highlighted the importance of humanitarian principles and the protection of aid workers: "It is essential that everyone who provides humanitarian assistance is respected and can work in a protected environment."
To date (as of 6 October 2019), the Humanitarian Response Plan has received 14 percent of the US$223 million needed for its implementation.
Humanitarian Response Plan: Key figures
7M People in need of humanitarian assistance
2.6M Target population of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2019
US$223M Funds required to implement the Humanitarian Response Plan 2019
14% of funds required have been received to date (as of 6 October 2019)
98 Projects in the Humanitarian Response Plan 2019