• Crisis Severity ?
    4.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Impact ?
    4.4
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Humanitarian Conditions ?
    4.0
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Complexity ?
    3.8
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Access Constraints ?
    3.0
    No constraints
    Extreme constraints
See all indicators

Key figures

  • 28,400,000 Total population [?]
  • 18,739,000 People affected [?]
  • 5,600,000 People displaced [?]
  • 18,517,000 People in Need [?]

Overview

14/10/2021

The deepening political and socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela has led to the collapse of basic services, deterioration of living conditions, and one of the largest international displacements ever recorded in Latin America. ? 

Inside Venezuela, hyperinflation has reduced access to food, medicines, and other basic goods, while the general availability of goods is hampered by import restrictions. Pregnant women, children, and people living in impoverished parts of the country are at risk of malnutrition and food insecurity. According to food security and malnutrition indicators in the country, about 14% of all children under five in Venezuela suffer from global acute malnutrition. ? 57% of pregnant women are malnourished, and about 32.6% of the total population experiences acute food insecurity. ?

After four years, hyperinflation has decreased to below 50% since early 2021, going from 46% in January to 9.7% in September. ? The population, however, has become increasingly poor, with more people falling below the poverty line. According to the 2021 Living Conditions National Assessment conducted on 17,402 households, around 94.5% of the total population in Venezuela is poor (a 0.4 percentage points increase from 2020), and 76.6% of Venezuelan households live in extreme poverty (an increase of over 8 percentage points from 2020). Multidimensional poverty has led to the deprivation or deterioration of education, housing, overall access to public services, income, and employment. ? 

The health system is affected by shortages of medical supplies and medicines and the departure of medical personnel. The incidence of vector-borne diseases has risen, and preventable diseases such as measles have re-emerged. Access to clean water is increasingly difficult after the collapse of basic services, aggravating water and sanitation problems. Only 13.6% of the population in cities has regular water supply, and four out of ten households suffer daily electricity outages. ? The current crisis has also led to an increase in repression and human rights abuses. At least 620 arbitrary arrests for political reasons have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic. ? INFORM measures Venezuela’s risk of humanitarian crisis at 4.5/10 in 2021. ?

Latest Developments

15/11/2022

No significant recent humanitarian developments. This crisis is being monitored by our analysis team

Humanitarian Access

15/12/2022

high constraints

Venezuela faced High humanitarian access constraints in the past six months, scoring 3/5 in ACAPS Humanitarian Access Index. The humanitarian access situation has been improving because of a gradual economic improvement and a considerable reduction in inflation. Venezuela has also begun to allow some humanitarian organisations access to the territory and has eased restrictions on the import of aid items, equipment, visas, and permits for staff. 

For more information you can consult our latest Global Humanitarian Access Overview – December 2022. 

IMPACT OF COVID-19

29/04/2021

Many Venezuelan refugees and migrants working in the informal economy in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru have lost their livelihoods and face poverty, evictions, food insecurity, and increased protection risks as a result of the pandemic. Around 105,000 Venezuelans have returned to Venezuela since March.?In 13 March the Colombian government announced the immediate closure of all borders to limit the spread of the virus but kept open two humanitarian corridors for returnees. On 21 August, Venezuelan authorities closed the humanitarian corridor from Norte de Santander, the main one used by returnees. This has left thousands of Venezuelans stranded along the border.?

As of 29 April 2021, about 195,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Venezuela.  Limited testing means this figure is likely an underestimate. 40% of all cases have been in the border states of Zulia, Apure, Bolívar and Táchira. Returnees that test positive are sent to temporary shelters for a 15-day quarantine. These shelters have been lacking food supplies since the beginning of the outbreak. Venezuela’s healthcare system urgently needs medical staff, supplies and equipment, and water, sanitation and hygiene services.?

Find more information about the global impact of COVID-19 here.

FOOD INSECURITY

29/04/2021

A recent food security assessment published by the World Food Program estimates that 2.3 million Venezuelans are severely food insecure (IPC Phase 4) and additional seven million are moderately food insecure (IPC Phase 3). The assessment was carried out in Venezuela between July and September 2019. One out of three Venezuelans is food insecure and in need of assistance. The most affected states are: Delta Amacuro, Amazonas, Falcon, Zulia and Bolivar.
Although food is available, access to it is difficult as prices are too high due to hyperinflation. 74% of households experience a food insecurity level between moderate to high and 80% of the population have insufficient income to buy food and have engaged in coping strategies such as reduced portion size of meals, accepting food as payment or sell family assets to cover basic needs. Access to potable water, irregular gas supply and lack of dietary diversity are also major concerns.?


This is one of the first assessments to come out with data regarding the humanitarian situation in Venezuela as the Government has historically placed access restrictions for international organizations.  It is unclear whether additional assessments will be undertaken in the country. ?

Key Priorities

29/04/2021
  • Food security:  Food security is deteriorating, particularly due to hyperinflation. A recent survey estimates that around 2.3 million Venezuelans are severely food insecure (IPC Phase 4) and additional seven million are moderately food insecure (IPC Phase 3). ?
  • Health: The health system in the country has been particularly affected. It is estimated that 40% of hospitals in the country lack electricity and 70% do not have regular access to water. A recent survey carried out in March 2020 also report shortages of gloves, desinfenctant, soap and face masks  ?
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Source: OCHA
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Source: OCHA
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