Question Period Note: Canada's Humanitarian Response to the Venezuelan Crisis

Venezuela continues to face a deep political and economic crisis resulting in humanitarian needs in Venezuela and neighboring countries receiving the migration outflows.

• Canada remains concerned with the deepening crisis in Venezuela and the number of Venezuelans in need of help within Venezuela and in neighboring countries. We commend countries in the region that are generously hosting vulnerable people affected by this crisis.
• In 2021, Canada has provided $28.75 million to experienced humanitarian partners delivering lifesaving assistance in Venezuela and neighboring countries to help meet the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, including needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Canada continues to closely monitor the humanitarian situation and stands ready to provide additional assistance, as appropriate. We continue to call for the provision of full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to populations in need.

Severe food shortages and record hyperinflation have put buying food and medicine out of reach for many Venezuelans and heavily impacted the ability of people to meet basic needs. According to the UN, over 5.4 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, the majority of whom are currently residing in neighbouring countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

The humanitarian situation inside Venezuela continues to deteriorate, and its complexity is compounded by the COVID-19 situation. In 2021, 7 million persons are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, 4.5 million of whom are targeted for assistance under the Venezuela Humanitarian Response Plan. The provision of humanitarian assistance within Venezuela continues to be scaled up, despite ongoing challenges with humanitarian access. Experienced partners deliver lifesaving assistance to vulnerable people by navigating a highly complex and sensitive operating environment.

On 21 June 2021, Canada announced $115.4 million in international assistance to help respond to the needs of vulnerable people affected by the crisis both in Venezuela and neighboring countries. Of this amount, $28.75 million has been allocated to respond to humanitarian needs resulting from this crisis, both in Venezuela and in neighbouring countries. This funding is helping provide food and nutrition assistance, protection, as well as improve access to basic services, such as health, including sexual and reproductive services and clean water. It also includes flexible humanitarian assistance funding to support the operations of United Nations Agencies through the Latin America and Caribbean region.

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