Venezuela
2021-10 Factsheet
October 2021
Nov 2021 > Shelter, Energy and NFI Clúster, 2021
Highlights
- By the end of October 2021, the Shelter, Energy and NFI Cluster reached 418.603 beneficiaries through partner organizations. Activities covered 17 states and Capital District. 524 street solar lamps, 29 electric systems and 124 Refugee Housing Units have been installed to support institutions and communities. Also 13008 solar lamps, 2141 habitat kits, 1844 family kits and 545 individual kits have been delivered to support the most vulnerable population.
- During early October, the Government announced the reopening of the border with Colombia – including authorization of binational economic activities - on the Táchira state (the border has been closed since February 2020).
- In an intersectoral approach with the Education Clúster, the Shelter, Energy and NFIs Cluster participated in a meeting with Ministry of Education – coordinated by Education Cluster – to inform main actions implemented in schools. The Ministry presented the safe back-to-school plan during COVID-19 context, highlighting national priorities. A joint work group was established to identify joint actions between institutional and humanitarian actors.
- Alongside Logistic Cluster, joint actions were established to carry out an assessment of NFIs stocks and warehouses of UN Agencies and INGO in order to determine their availability during sudden emergencies (e.g., floods, landslides). This coordinated effort is part of preparedness measures to ensure timeliness and effectiveness during an eventual emergency response.
- The Humanitarian Coordinator-Resident Coordinator, held a first meeting with the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group to discuss priorities for 2022. The cluster requested support for: access to updated data, advocacy for reactivation of CBI, advocacy with donors, and access to remote areas, and joint actions alongside authorities for contingency plans during an emergency. The HC-RC will participate in monthly cluster meetings with partners organizations during next months.
NFI
Shelter
Need analysis
- In October, Cluster continued to facilitate needs workshops organized by OCHA in Bolívar, Anzoátegui, Sucre, Zulia, and Lara states. This needs analysis will inform the Humanitarian Needs Overview for 2022 and the main results and need priorities will be presented to partners organizations and stakeholders during the coming weeks.
- Within the framework of HNO 2022, intersectoral meetings started to define vulnerable groups to discuss priority needs for: children, indigenous persons, women, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, adolescents and youth, LGBTIQ+ persons, and refugees.
- The announcement of the reopening of the border with Colombia in Táchira state could generate an increase of persons in situation of mobility as outflows, spontaneous returnees, and those in pendular movements. Straighten the network of temporary shelter arrangements for persons on the move is a priority to be addressed.
Response
- By the end of October 2021, 418,603 individuals have been reached by Shelter, Energy and NFI activities (55% female and 45% male) in 17 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, Apure and Bolívar. During the last month, response has been reported in two states signed by access difficulties reaching indigenous population: Delta Amacuro and Amazonas states.
- Interventions have supported centers providing dignified essential services to population, maximizing the reach to vulnerable population. 58 health centers have been benefited from the partners actions, including the support for triage and vaccination areas responding to COVID-19 emergency. 29 temporary collective centers in border areas (including PASIs) were benefited by the response focusing on people on the move, and 58 community centers providing protection and essential services to population have been benefited through shelter, energy and NFI response.
- Activities have been in place to improve access to energy have reached 144,336 individuals. 524 street solar lamps have been installed in public places, including the surroundings of institutions benefited by the response, to provide illumination also preventing associated protection risks, 29 electric systems, including photovoltaic systems for institutions, organizations, community centers and collective shelters, have been installed allowing access to basic services for the most vulnerable population.
- Actions have been taken to improve shelter conditions in community centers including the installation of 124 refugee housing units (RHUs). 60 RHUs have been installed in health centres, 22 in collective temporary shelters, and 42 have benefited community spaces, centers and institutions, communities, authorities and other locations. Overall, 188,960 individuals have been benefited through shelter interventions.
- Finally, improving access to basic NFIs for the most vulnerable population has benefited 85,307 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 13,008 solar lamps, 2141 habitat kits, 1844 family kits and 545 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
- In the process of preparedness for HNO-HRP 20222, access to relevant disaggregated data both from official and non-official sources, has been a challenge in order to map the needs and prioritize the response for the Cluster.
- Considering the transversal needs addressed by Shelter, Energy and NFI Cluster, continue to establish a conjoint planning and coordination with other sector organizations remains a significant challenge.
