Venezuela
2021-09 Factsheet
September 2021
Oct 2021 > Shelter, Energy and NFI Clúster, 2021
Highlights
- By the end of September 2021, the Shelter, Energy and NFI Cluster reached 353,021 beneficiaries through partner organizations. Activities covered 15 states and Capital District. 512 street solar lamps, 25 electric systems and 96 Refugee Housing Units have been installed to support institutions and communities. Also 10,194 solar lamps, 1,343 habitat kits, 1,309 family kits and 127 individual kits have been delivered to support the most vulnerable population.
- During the third quarter of the year several states of Venezuela including Zulia, Apure, Bolivar, Capital District and Mérida were affected by heavy rains and floods. In August, a State of Emergency was stablished by Government in Mérida to attend people affected by floods and landslides generated by heavy rains. In Merida state, according to official information, more than 5,000 people and 1,108 houses were affected, causing deaths and interruption of basic services. In coordination with authorities and humanitarian actors, partner organizations participated in intersectoral assistance, including the delivery of NFIs and support to temporary shelters for people who had lost their homes.
- During August and September, the Cluster carried out a field mission to Sucre state with UNHCR and Caritas to identify humanitarian needs related with shelter, energy and NFI (within HNO 2022 framework) in remote zones, especially in indigenous communities. As a result, 11 projects were proposed for partner organizations. The main findings can be found in the mission report.
- Aligned with Ministry of Health´s (MPPS by its Spanish acronym) massive vaccination plan against COVID-19, partner organizations activities - related with health sector- have covered RHU installation as vaccination points and expansion of health centers to improve existing response capacities of institutions.
NFI
Shelter
Need analysis
- In September, the Cluster facilitated needs workshops organized by OCHA in Mérida, Táchira, and Apure with the objective to do a joint needs analysis with humanitarian organizations at state level, that will inform the Humanitarian Needs Overview for 2022. In October, workshops will continue in other seven states of the country, and results will be available in the coming weeks.
- Reportedly, limited access to electricity (daily and prolonged power outages) in remote areas remains as a major concern to be addressed. Long power outages negatively impact people’s living conditions restricting access to other essential services such as water, health, education, among others. This need was observed during a field mission to the communities of Guariquén, Guanoco and Jurupú (remote areas of Sucre state) where lack of access to energy for more than six months was reported. Distribution of solar lamps and renewable energy generation systems in remote areas, including isolated indigenous communities, are required.
- Distribution of NFI/equipment and in some cases rehabilitations (including improvements in electrical systems) have been crucial to strengthen the capacities for institutions providing essential services to people in need. In the recent months, Civil Protection has been identified as an organization requiring support with NFIs, RHUs, construction materials among others, in order to assist people affected by natural disasters.
Response
- By the end of September 2021, 353,021 individuals have been reached by Shelter, Energy and NFI activities (55% female and 45% male) in 15 states and the Capital District. The states covering the higher number of beneficiaries have been mainly border states and central states: Táchira, Sucre, Miranda, La Guaira, Apure, Zulia, Bolívar and Mérida.
- Partner organizations focused their interventions in supporting centers to provide dignified essential services to population. 48 health centers have been benefited from the partners actions combining access to energy, shelter and critical NFIs availability, including the support for triage. Vaccination areas were also stablished in health centers through RHUs to support COVID-19 response. 23 temporary collective centers in border areas (including PASIs) were been benefited by the response as well as 57 community centers providing protection and essential services to population.
- Activities have been in place to improve access to energy addressing the national electric system limitations through renewable sources of energy. 512 street solar lamps were installed in public places to provide illumination preventing protection risks, 25 electric systems, including photovoltaic systems for institutions, organizations, community centers and collective shelters, were installed allowing access to basic services for the most vulnerable population. As a result, 112,836 individuals have been benefited with improved access to energy.
- Actions have been taken to improve shelter conditions in community centers including the installation of 96 refugee housing units (RHUs). 35 RHUs were installed in health centres, 22 in collective temporary shelters, and 39 have benefited community spaces, centers and institutions, communities and other locations. Overall, 167,923 individuals have been benefited through shelter interventions.
- Finally, improving access to basic NFIs for the most vulnerable population has benefited 72,262 people. Basic NFI distribution has been critical in the assistance of vulnerable people specially those affected by flooding and by armed conflicts. NFIs delivered have included 10,194 solar lamps, 1453 habitat kits, 1309 family kits and 127 individual kits, including critical items like mosquito nets and insect repellents to prevent extended diseases, pads, sheets and cooking items, rechargeable fans among others. Basic NFIs have also served to strengthen the capacities of community centers and institutions through basic mobiliary, wheelchairs and kitchen sets, among others.
Gaps / challenges
- Despite joint actions have been carried out with Civil Protection at subnational level to provide assistance to people affected by natural disasters, there is a need to strengthen the coordination space with the institution at the central level. It is a priority for the Cluster to stablish coordination and advocacy actions at the national level with Civil Protection to harmonize the joint response of humanitarian actors to natural disasters, including preparation of joint contingency plans, in conjunction with OCHA.
- Even though, Cluster´s strategy stablishes actions to support institutions that provide essential services as educational centers, rehabilitations and NFI distributions in schools have been limited and focused on 13 centers in Bolívar, Miranda, Apure, and Zulia states. It is a priority to reinforce assistance related to shelter, energy and NFI (including improvements in kitchens and school canteens) aligned with led-Government safe return to school plan, in coordination with the relevant authorities and the corresponding clusters.
