EFE — Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ humanitarian chief, told EFE on Wednesday that governments should ease sanctions on Venezuela to ensure they do not hinder humanitarian assistance or the country’s recovery efforts following the twin earthquakes.
“It is always important for us to have humanitarian exemptions so that nothing required for humanitarian support falls under sanctions,” the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said in an interview from Playa Grande, one of the areas hardest hit by the devastating June 24 earthquakes.
Fletcher warned that the earthquakes will create “a very difficult economic situation” and reduce Venezuela’s gross domestic product by “several percentage points.” He said the United Nations wants to work with financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to encourage long-term commitments that move beyond the humanitarian emergency and support the country’s recovery.
He added that the United Nations will continue to press for humanitarian exemptions to ensure sanctions never restrict the delivery of relief assistance.
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), relief agencies need an additional $300 million—after already raising a similar amount—to assist 1.3 million people affected in some way by the twin earthquakes, based on a joint needs assessment conducted by the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.
“There is a long-term need to support the Venezuelan people at this moment—not only by addressing the humanitarian emergency, but also by supporting the country’s long-term reconstruction. Ultimately, we must rebuild not only neighborhoods but also hope,” Fletcher said.
The humanitarian coordinator acknowledged that relief distribution “will never be perfect,” but emphasized the need for stronger coordination.
“In a crisis zone like this, while managing such a complex operation, perfection is impossible. We must coordinate as effectively as possible among all our partners, including NGOs and the private sector,” he said.
“We have strong mechanisms in place to ensure aid reaches the people who need it. We do not want to see a single dollar go anywhere other than saving lives,” the British diplomat reaffirmed.
According to the latest official figures, the devastating 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 have claimed 3,685 lives and injured 16,740 people.
