Venezuela is currently experiencing the worst crisis in its recent history.

The crisis is characterised by hyper-inflation, economic freefall, extreme levels of poverty and crime, and shortages of food, medicine and basic goods. This is caused by a toxic mix of socio-economic factors and a political crisis.

To date, 9 million Venezuelans have been affected, out of which 6 million are food insecure and 3 million have fled the country, making It one of the biggest displacement crises in the world.

CARE has been working in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru for decades. Our teams there are now assisting those affected by the ongoing situation in Venezuela.

Fast Facts

Population:  31.68 million (July 2018 est.)
Life expectancy:  76.2 years (73.2 years male, 79.3 years female) (2018 est.)
Infant mortality:  11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
Under-5 mortality*: 30.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
Maternal mortality: 95 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Adult literacy rate: 97.1% (97% male, 97.2% female) (2016 est.)
Access to improved drinking water:  93.1% (95% urban, 77.9% rural)
Access to improved sanitation: 94.4% (97.5% urban, 69.9% rural)
Labour force participation rate^: 77.2% male, 50.3% female (2018 est.)
Percentage of seats held by women in national parliament^: 22.2%
GDP per capita:  $12,500 (2017 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook, *UNICEF, ^World Bank

The humanitarian crisis

Venezuela is experiencing an unprecedented and man-made humanitarian crisis, causing a mass exodus of its people.  Thousands of children are at risk of dying from malnutrition and people are contracting formerly eradicated diseases such as measles. 

More than  3 million people, about ten per cent of the population, have fled Venezuela  as a result of political instability, hunger, inflation, poverty and soaring crime rates. It has been described as the largest exodus in Latin America in a hundred years.

Women and girls are suffering disproportionately in Venezuela. Alongside trafficking, women are facing a further myriad of challenges and risks including a rise in sexual and gender-based violence, shortages of feminine items such as sanitary pads, and high levels of maternal and infant mortality.

You can help those affected by the crisis in Venezuela, and other emergencies, by donating to our Global Emergency Fund.

CARE’s response

CARE is working in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru to address the specific needs of those affected, by ensuring access to basic services, providing emergency cash to pay for food and accommodation, and psychosocial support. CARE is also providing hygiene kits with sanitary materials for women and awareness raising activities around the issues of gender-based violence.

Donate now

Support our ongoing work to create a more equal world.

Your donation can help end extreme poverty and give people the means to build a better future for themselves in countries like Venezuela.

For those living in extreme poverty, your support brings education and training, healthcare and clean water, nutritious food, and new ways to earn an income. And in times of crisis, you help us deliver emergency relief.

Banner image ©Paddy Dowling/CARE