The European Union is increasing its assistance to Venezuela by additional 50 million euros in an emergency assistance to help Venezuelans that are affected by the crisis the most – pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five years of age, the elderly and indigenous groups. The aid is part of the EU’s efforts to mobilize more assistance as stipulated in the Montevideo Declaration of the International Contact Group, bringing the total package provided by the EU to more than 117 million since last year.
Ms. Mogherini, the head of the European diplomacy, said that the EU stood at the front of the international mobilization to support the Venezuelan people. “We are working on strengthening international cooperation to make sure that humanitarian aid, including this new commitment, reaches the people in need inside and outside Venezuela in an impartial manner and through independent channels, without any attempt to politicize the delivery of aid”. The EU has been also focusing on providing support to the neighbouring countries and the humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
Venezuela is going through the fifth year of economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation – the situation that has led to a collapse of health and education services, hunger and medicines, insecurity and violence. Malnutrition rates among children are at critical levels and millions of people are displaced. The United Nations estimates that around 3.4 million people within the whole region are displaced – more than 1.1 million in Colombia, more than 500,000 in Peru and more than 220,000 in Ecuador. This marks the largest migration ever recorded in Latin America.
