The European Union is releasing an additional €10 million in humanitarian funding to help the most affected communities in Venezuela, following the recent earthquakes.
The other €10 million, subject to the approval of the Budgetary Authority, support the search and rescue, medical and other expert teams’ operations, along with in-kind assistance deployed in the country.
The announcement comes as Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib visits Venezuela as a sign of the EU’s unwavering support for the country in facing this crisis. The Commissioner will be in Caracas tomorrow, where she will meet with EU-funded aid partners and local authorities that are coordinating the emergency response, as well as with one of the European medical teams deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Today’s announcement add to the €5 million life-saving assistance already approved at the end of June, and to the €52 million allocated at the beginning of the year to respond to the humanitarian consequences of the socio-economic crisis in Venezuela. EU humanitarian aid is solely channelled through partners such as UN agencies and international NGOs, which work with local partners.
Additionally, as part of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge launched in June, 2 EU-funded flights have already landed in Venezuela, bringing nearly 80 tonnes of essential supplies.
Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, around 750 responders and experts, as well as relief items, have been mobilised from 18 countries. This includes rescue teams, medicines, shelter and a satellite telecommunication platform. The EU’s Copernicus satellite service also provided emergency mapping.
“Venezuela may be an ocean away, but the Venezuelan people are close to our hearts. From the very first hours after the earthquakes, the European Union has stood with them“, Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, said ahead of her visit. “And we are stepping up our support. This new funding will help deliver food, clean water, medicines, shelter and other lifesaving assistance to families who have lost everything. I want to thank the emergency responders who have worked day and night, pulling survivors from the rubble and bringing hope when it was needed most.“