Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

People affected by violence are respected and protected in line with applicable international norms and humanitarian principles. Their basic needs, including food, water, sanitation, livelihoods, health and safety, are met.

Expected results

The ICRC aims to achieve the following results:

• Food consumption and production for 21,700 people increased;

• Living conditions and income support for 15,500 people improved;

• Access to water and habitat for 502,088 people supported;

• Institutional WASH infrastructure for 2,213 in-patients improved;

• 37 Hospitals and health centers supported.

Target group / Beneficiaries

With a contribution of EUR 1,000,000 Mio. the ICRC can achieve the following results reaching a total of 30,000 beneficiaries:

• Access to water for 18,000 people enhanced;

• Food consumption for 12,000 people increased.

Target groups of the ICRC appeal are the most vulnerable people, such as wounded and sick, displaced households, people in transit, women-headed households, small children, people with disabilities and elderly, as well as detainees. The ICRC works closely with the Venezuelan Red Cross and carries out its program in Caracas, San Cristobal and Puerto Ordaz.

Activities

• Together with authorities, repair urban water systems that are damaged and/or out of service and provide technical knowledge to ensure maintenance;

• Carry out improvements at key public facilities, including temporary shelters and quarantine facilities and support the National Society to prevent infections;

• Provision of canteens and other facilities with material for preparing meals as well as supplementing cash to people for food procurements;

• Provision of material and financial support for schools and community services to buy household essentials and improve living conditions;

• Provide training, material and financial support for community-based institutions to produce more food and renovate schools and shelters.

Context

In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (hereafter Venezuela), armed violence and crime persists in densely populated cities, the country’s resource rich areas and border regions to Colombia, Brazil and Guyana. Over recent years the situation has been exacerbated by a deteriorating economy that is marked by hyperinflation, shortage of essential goods, limited access to water and health care and overall declining livelihoods, which continues to be felt even more in violence-affected and remote areas. The socio-economic situation triggered demonstrations and civil unrest, which still take place but less frequent due to COVID-19 restrictions. To keep the situation under control, the military usually aides the police in carrying out law enforcement operations reportedly with the excessive use of force. Poor living conditions and economic opportunities have led people to look for a better life in border areas or migrate to other countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador or the Caribbean. The COVID-19 pandemic and measures have exacerbated the situation in Venezuela, putting additional strain on health services and making basic goods even less accessible.