Venezuela Humanitarian Fund (VHF) – Country-based Pooled Fund (CBPF)


The Venezuela Humanitarian Fund (VHF) is part of multilateral contributions for a Country based Pooled Fund (CBPF) that mobilizes and channels resources to humanitarian partners to respond to the humanitarian needs in Venezuela. The Fund operates within the parameters of the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), with the objective of expanding the delivery of humanitarian assistance by focusing on critical priorities and needs.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Venezuela
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Migration
nothemedefined
Humanitarian efficiency
Protection, access & security
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
01.10.2023 - 31.12.2025
CHF  1’800’000
Background Venezuela is in the tenth year of a deep socio-economic crisis. 81.5% of the population in Venezuela live below the poverty line, 53.3% even in extreme poverty.
Growing inequalities, making Venezuela the country with the greatest inequalities along with Namibia, Mozambique and Angola.
According to UN-OCHA's Needs Assessment 2023, the context of socio-economic crisis has had a major impact on access to basic services and the living conditions of the most vulnerable people in Venezuela.
The conflicts in the border area with Colombia and in the so called «arco minero» (mainly in the states of Bolivar and Amazonas) have increased again.
There are reports of families returning. It remains unclear whether returning families are settling definitely in Venezuela. Most move to urban centers. The NGOs and associations responsibles for the care of refugees along the borders report return movements of 30-40% (in relation to emigration 60-70%). 
Objectives Allocation to and disbursement through the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund (VHF) to humanitarian partners (national and international) to deliver timely, coordinated, effective and principled humanitarian assistance.
Target groups

Prioritized groups: Children, Adolescent and Elderly 

Diversity and Inclusion: People with disabilities, vulnerable indigenous populations and refugees in Venezuela 

Gender and LGBTIQ+

Medium-term outcomes

I) Level 1: Results based objectives - Overall goals from the HRP (see annex 3):
3 Strategic objectives
8 specific objectives
8 Cluster – Sectorial objectives

II) Level 2: Institutional performance objectives - Overall goals of the VHF: 

Outcome 1: Promote a coordinated response to humanitarian needs through the organizations best positioned to respond, giving priority to local organizations when appropriate. 

Outcome 2: Improve the humanitarian response by increasing funding for humanitarian projects that respond to the allocation priorities, according to the main humanitarian needs prioritized in an inclusive and coordinated process at the national and local levels.

Results

Expected results:  

  • Provide assistance within the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Venezuela in identified cluster lead sectors (number of target population): WASH (4.6M), Health (3.5M), Protection (2.8M), Child protection (1.3M), Protection GBV (0.6M); FSL (2.0M), Education (1.5M), Shelter, Energy, NFI (0.3M). (PS: because of the underfunding of the HRP (18% of the pledged 720M) it is unlikely to achieve the expected results and reach the targets. The VHF shall target at least the most vulnerable people within the HRP and those affected by disasters and crisis). 
  • Contribution to the localization agenda in Venezuela. Empowerment of national (N)NGO’s. At least 75% of the funds are directed to (N)NGOs. 
  • The Nexus approach within the HRP/VHF is clearly defined and from 2023 on monitored with specific indicators.


Results from previous phases:  

  • VHF Humanitarian assistance: in 2022, 98’000 people have received assistance and protection, 81% women and children – (details in Annex 3 - 2022 VHF Annual Report) 
  • Localization: 18 national (N)NGO and 7 international (I)NGO have received direct funding. 55 national (N)NGO capacitaded to become country based pool members.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs


Coordination with other projects and actors Other UN Agencies, Inter Cluster Working Group, Cluster System, national and international (I)NGO Foras.
Authorities at national, regional and local levels.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’200’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.10.2023 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase)