By Zoila Palma: Venezuela’s long-running humanitarian crisis has entered a new and uncertain phase following the recent seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces, adding to years of economic collapse, political instability, hyperinflation, international sanctions, and recurring climate-related disasters.
Despite the political turmoil, the United Nations says its humanitarian operations remain active as the country’s most vulnerable populations continue to face severe hardship.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 7.9 million people—more than a quarter of Venezuela’s population—require urgent humanitarian assistance.
UN agencies maintain a broad presence across the country, delivering support in food security, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, gender equality, and livelihoods.
Organizations such as the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and UNFPA continue to provide life-saving services, including food distributions, nutrition screenings, maternal healthcare, and access to clean water, while assessing whether aid needs to be scaled up in light of recent developments.
Human rights remain a central concern for the UN as the crisis evolves.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to monitor alleged violations, with High Commissioner Volker Türk recently warning of deepening repression marked by increased militarisation, threats to journalists and human rights defenders, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances.
UN investigators have emphasized that accountability for long-documented abuses—such as extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence—must not be sidelined by the current political upheaval.
The situation has also renewed attention on Venezuela’s mass displacement, one of the largest migration crises in the world.
While it remains unclear whether recent events will trigger a new wave of departures, millions of Venezuelans have already fled over the past decade.
Many live in precarious conditions, relying on informal work, struggling to afford food, and residing in overcrowded housing.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration coordinate a regional response across 17 countries, supporting more than 4.5 million Venezuelans with legal status, protection, and access to basic services.
The post International News: UN aid effort continues in Venezuela despite political upheaval appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Venezuela’s long-running humanitarian crisis has entered a new and uncertain phase following the recent seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces, adding to years of economic collapse, political instability, hyperinflation, international sanctions, and recurring climate-related disasters. Despite the political turmoil, the United Nations says its humanitarian operations remain active as
The post International News: UN aid effort continues in Venezuela despite political upheaval appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
