Country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Since the launch of the appeal, the response has been significantly strengthened by bilateral contributions channelled through several Participating National Societies (PNS) and from other partners of the Movement, as well as resources mobilized directly by the Venezuelan Red Cross from the national private sector, companies and individual donors from Venezuela. To ensure that the funding picture accurately reflects both the resources mobilized and the activities being implemented by the entire IFRC Network, the Federation-wide funding requirement has been revised from CHF 55 million to CHF 75 million. This adjustment reflects increased bilateral contributions and the corresponding response activities of Participating National Societies. It does not represent an increase in the IFRC Secretariat funding requirement, which remains unchanged at CHF 50 million. As of 28 August, the IFRC Secretariat funding requirement of CHF 50 million is 39. 8 per cent funded including in-kind contributions, hard and soft pledges. The IFRC expresses its sincere gratitude to donors and partners for their support to the response. Additional and timely contributions are urgently needed to enable the Venezuelan Red Cross, with the support of the IFRC, to continue delivering humanitarian assistance, address priority needs in affected communities, strengthen preparedness and response capacities, and support early recovery efforts. Flexible and unearmarked funding is particularly valuable, as it enables resources to be directed to the most urgent and underfunded needs, supports continuity of assistance throughout the recovery phase, and helps ensure that emerging and longer-term humanitarian needs can be addressed effectively. Following the recent publication of Operational Update No. 2, this Operational Update is issued to reflect the adjustments identified through the first review of the Operational Strategy, led by the Venezuelan Red Cross with IFRC support and in consultation with Movement partners. The review considered the current operational context, implementation to date, and the capacities and priorities of the Venezuelan Red Cross, resulting in adjustments to planned activities and indicators. A. SITUATION ANALYSIS Description of the crisis Eleven weeks after the two high-magnitude earthquakes, significant humanitarian challenges persist. The operation continues to address urgent needs while progressively transitioning into the early recovery phase. National authorities, the Venezuelan Red Cross and other humanitarian partners continue to report on evolving needs and implementation outcomes related to primary healthcare, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, and protection services among affected populations. Official reports by authorities and the humanitarian coordination system to date reflect 6, 509 fatalities; 16, 740 injuries; 6, 462 people rescued; 17, 907 people who lost their homes; 190 buildings collapsed; and 856 buildings damaged1. Housing and displacement remains a key concern. As of 28 August2, Venezuelan authorities reported that 60, 785 homes have undergone structural evaluation, with 11, 001 classified as high-risk and requiring further assessments and intervention. In this light, as part of the government’s recovery and reconstruction plan Gran Misión Venezuela Renace, authorities reported that 377 new public housing apartments have been handed over as replacement for units beyond repair (providing a permanent solution for 1, 172 persons), and 1, 001 housing units have been repaired (for displaced families encompassing a total of 3, 503 persons). Financing has also been made available to the condominium boards of 27 residential buildings and to 400 homeowners for repairs. Overall, around 13, 796 housing units are expected to require support for repairs in La Guaira, Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Yaracuy and Falcón States; 73 per cent of which are apartments (10, 062) and 27 per cent of which are single or double-family homes (3, 734). Governmental support for interim solutions also continues through the operation of 107 temporary accommodation sites with capacity for 28, 223 people, currently hosting around 24, 477 people, primarily in La Guaira, Distrito Capital, Miranda and Aragua states. In addition, two large scale stadiums have been adapted to accommodate 1, 200 persons as transitional solution for families who had been staying in schools, to prevent disruptions in the academic year while offering a dignified and safe transitional option. Humanitarian actors continue to work alongside authorities to support residents with essential services and assistance during their stay in the network of shelters3. Authorities are also advancing in the construction of additional housing complexes to be assigned free of cost for families with homes beyond repair, including new developments La Guaira State. A special tribunal has also been established under the judiciary to handle any contentious claims of land and property rights for the population displaced by the earthquakes. Housing assessment and debris removal activities also continue in the affected areas. To date, 580, 000 tons of rubble have been removed (28. 61 per cent of the total estimated earthquake-generated debris). The Presidential Commission for the Evaluation of Housing and Infrastructure Habitability continues secondary assessments as needed, and has received bilateral support from countries like Japan, whose JICA commission advanced bilateral technical support to the authorities in the past week. The website for self-registration of citizens to report any additional damage to their infrastructure and request technical visits also continues to operate in order to ensure all units are identified immediately should they pose any kind of risk4. Technical manuals for repair and shoring have been made available, incorporating the official guidelines developed by the technical committee of the Presidential Commission for the Evaluation of Infrastructure Habitability to guide interventions on the earthquake-affected buildings5. Health services continue to require support in the affected areas. Numerous health facilities have sustained structural damage, while shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and health personnel continue to place pressure on service delivery. Humanitarian organizations continue supporting essential healthcare, including maternal and reproductive health services, while public health surveillance activities continue to monitor potential health risks. Authorities have provided medical attention to over 20, 000 persons with injuries in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, to support with chronic illnesses for those in temporary shelters. A commission was also set to ensure birth certificates, identification and protection services continue to be proactively offered to children and vulnerable populations in interim housing solutions, bringing services from the national protection network of authorities and civil society, as well as UNICEF support. Mental health and psychosocial needs remain significant as the response moves towards early recovery. The loss of loved ones, displacement, loss of homes and livelihoods, aftershocks and housing uncertainty may prolong distress and disrupt family and community support. Needs extend beyond health facilities and require attention across communities and temporary camps, including for groups requiring adapted support and for staff and volunteers exposed to sustained stress. Continued basic and focused psychosocial support, psychological support and safe referrals to specialized services remain essential throughout recovery.
Venezuela | Earthquake – Operation Update #3 (MDRVE015)
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