Venezuela

Introduction

Venezuela continues to face a deep political-constitutional and socio-economic crisis due to which it remains one of the world’s largest and complex humanitarian crises.  

Depending on the source, there are between 7.6 million and 19.6 million (70%) people in humanitarian need. Nearly 56% of the population lives in extreme poverty. 

Additionally, the strain on humanitarian resources is intensified by exposure to natural and human-induced hazards such as floods, landslides, oil spills and armed violence.

Venezuela generates the highest number of refugees and others in need of international protection globally (UNHCR Global Trends Report 2025). Since 2015, nearly 8 million Venezuelans are displaced globally, with the majority –more than 6.7 million – hosted in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Venezuelans currently represent the second largest group of asylum seekers in the European Union, after Afghans.  

Venezuela also ranks among the top 3 countries globally with the highest increase in human fragility, alongside North Korea and Libya (OECD, 2025).

What are the needs?

Public services such as healthcare, water and sanitation, and education have collapsed, and basic goods are scarce. A worsening economic outlook, with an inflation rate of 270% expected by the end of 2025, and a currency depreciation of 381% over the past 12 months (October 2025) deepens the already dire humanitarian situation. Forecasts for the end of the year are even more concerning, with an inflation that could reach 370% and GDP projected to shrink by 4.8%.

Food access remains difficult, with 10% of the population facing severe food needs and 40% facing critical food needs (HumVenezuela, January 2025 ). The food crisis has an adverse impact on children’s nutrition. The price of the basic monthly food basket remains very high for most families, who need about 250 times the minimum monthly wage to afford it (HumVenezuela, September 2025). 

70 % of the population lost access to health system services (public and private) . Outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue frequently affect the most vulnerable population. 

In 2025, restrictions on access to drinking water affected some 62% of the population. The country has seen several widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases: measles, diphtheria, and malaria, most likely because preventative and vaccination programmes have been discontinued or have a very low coverage, and sanitary conditions have worsened. 

Up to 30% of school-aged children are not attending class regularly and 13% are outside of the education system (HumVenezuela, September 2025). The mass exodus has also resulted in a lack of qualified education personnel – at least 200,000 teachers have left the country since 2017.

Homicide rates are among the highest in the world (26.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023). The situation in border areas is of particular concern due to the presence of armed actors and criminal gangs resulting in increased violence. A total of 4.4 million people, including 1.4 million children, need protection assistance. 

Violence and repression exponentially increase protection needs as well as emergency health needs.

How are we helping?

Since 2016, the EU has allocated €52000 million in humanitarian aid for the Venezuelan crisis. For 2025, the initial allocation for the Venezuela crisis, inside the country and in the region is €62.538 million.

In 2024, the EU allocated almost €75 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the most urgent needs of Venezuelans. The funding helps assist Venezuelans in need both within the country and in neighbouring host countries. 

The funding inside the country focuses on delivering healthcare, protection assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene, education in emergencies, nutritional and food support as well as support for disaster preparedness and emergency response. The assistance to refugees and internally displaced people focuses on emergency medical services, food assistance, the provision of legal information and support, protection initiatives (specifically against gender-based violence and human trafficking), education in emergencies, and shelter.

EU humanitarian assistance is delivered through UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the Red Cross movement. They implement projects covering the broad spectrum of humanitarian needs. 

The aid focuses on addressing the most pressing needs of the population, targeting vulnerable groups such as children under 5 years (mainly nutrition) and children under 18 (comprehensive), pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older people, and indigenous groups.

Facts & figures

19.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance _{(HUMVenezuela)}

78.4% of the population was in monetary poverty; and 56.8% in extreme poverty _{(HUMVenezuelaSeptember 2025)}

More than 7.6 million Venezuelans displaced beyond national borders since 2015 _(UNHCR/IOM)

EU humanitarian funding: 
€62.5 million in 2025
€520 million since 2016 

_{Last updated: 03/11/2025}

Related information

• EU External Action