Venezuela, 2021–2022: The challenges of humanitarian work amidst armed violence and pandemic
In 2021, the ICRC’s team in Venezuela faced both the challenges and the opportunities that come with intensifying humanitarian work against a backdrop of armed violence. Thanks to our continual dialogue with communities, authorities and others – including weapon bearers – we were able to help the people most at risk (e.g. wounded and sick people and those in detention or separated from their families) to meet their most urgent needs
Our objective for the year was to create opportunities out of what was a very difficult situation. Concretely, this meant improving people's access to clean water, health-care services, sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure, supporting them to maintain or improve their livelihoods and much more. We also helped people in areas like La Victoria, Apure and Cota 905 in Caracas, where the armed violence was causing direct harm, e.g. patients with gunshot wounds, people forced to flee their homes and others unable to access essential services easily.
Together with the Venezuelan Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, we provided support for the ministry of health's national plan to vaccinate the public against COVID-19.
The most vulnerable communities in Venezuela will likely continue suffering the effects of violence that at times seems unstoppable. The situation could undoubtedly get even more complex, and that's where the challenge lies: in adapting and redirecting our activities and programmes in step with the situation so we can continue addressing people's needs and fulfilling our mission.
Learn more about what we did in 2021 and our plans for 2022 here
These are just a few things that the ICRC did in Venezuela in 2021:
Learn more about the ICRC's work in Venezuela in 2021 here
