An internal UN report has estimated that around a quarter of Venezuelans are in need of humanitarian assistance in the country which is lacking food, water and basic services, caused by the economic and political crisis.
According to the UN reports seen by Reuters, the findings contrasted with the comments from Nicolas Maduro, embattled president, who has said the country was not suffering from any economic or political crisis and there was no need of international humanitarian assistance, further blaming United States President Donald Trump for the condition of Venezuela.
Maduro’s backing military has last month blocked efforts by the US sending humanitarian convoys to the nation through Colombian and Brazil border. However, Maduro has accepted humanitarian aid from Russia.
The 45-page UN report read: “The politicization of humanitarian assistance in the context of the crisis makes delivery of assistance in accordance with the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence more difficult.”
It stated “overview of Priority Humanitarian Needs” in Venezuela. Venezuelan information ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
The March 2019 UN review has used a “broad range” of sources which included academic, the red cross, civil society, and UN agencies – was part of the world body effort to try and effort humanitarian responses in Venezuela.
The reports read, “Much more action is required to meet the growing needs of the Venezuelan people.” It has warned the lack of official data and reliable has made it difficult to estimate the scope of need in Venezuela.
It has estimated that around 94 per cent of 28.8 million people are living in poverty with some 3.4 million people fleeing the country and an additional 1.9 million people to follow the move this year.
The report said, “Due to an increasingly contracting economy and political unrest, the Venezuelan population is facing unprecedented challenges in accessing essential services, including protection, healthcare, medicines, vaccinations, water, electricity, education and access to food.”
In the area of water, sanitation and hygiene, 4.3 million people are in need of help, 2.8 million people are in need of healthcare and shortage of food had left some 1.9 million people in nutrition need, according to the report.