Venezuela - Global call meeting minutes, 14 July 2026

Content

1. Situation Update

• An addendum to the Humanitarian Needs Response Plan (HNRP) has been published with an additional 1.3 million people targeted and a requirement of almost USD 300 million. This includes USD 800,000 for Logistics and Telecommunications to support the response. 
• Over 20,000 people remain in 107 “transitional camps” across the affected states, with 68 of them just in Caracas and La Guaira State.
• Some initial estimations by UNDRR place the direct damage to housing and infrastructure at USD 37 billion. The damage has been mostly in housing business, schools, hospitals and public facilities.
• The Government maintains two main storage locations to consolidate Unsolicited Bilateral Donations (UBDs): Centro de Acopio La Carlota and Almacenadora Caracas.
• According to initial figures shared by the Government, over 7,000 mt has been received, with 4,200 mtarriving by air and 2,800 mt by sea.

2. Logistics Updates

• Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) and Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN) continue to serve as the main entry points for humanitarian cargo.
• While Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) has been officially designated as the main entry point for humanitarian aid by air, most of the humanitarian cargo arriving on commercial flights is being routed through Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN), as CCS is used only for full charters with humanitarian cargo. As VLN is currently the main operational international airport near Caracas, the increase in passenger flights and humanitarian cargo is placing additional pressure on airport capacity.
• The Government has announced plans to reopen CCS for commercial cargo flights as soon as possible. For passengers, VLN will remain the entry point until further notice .
• La Guaira Port has also been designated as an entry point for humanitarian cargo. However, as it remains closed to commercial activities, Puerto Cabello continues to be the viable option for NGOs and UN agencies shipping cargo through freight forwarders. Port operators have shared that they expect commercial operations to reestablish in La Guaira port in 2-3 months, as repairs take place.
• Regarding road access, no major restrictions have been reported. While some roads have sustained damage, access remains possible, although delays and congestion may occur in some areas.

3.  Logistics Working Group Updates

• The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster has not been activated.
• Main activities at the moment are related to ongoing advocacy with OCHA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other authorities to clarify the processes for bringing humanitarian cargo into the country, including customs procedures, handling at entry points and other related processes.
• There are no tax exemptions for the importation of humanitarian goods, so partners must follow the same procedures as before the emergency. NGOs have been following regular importation processes without issue, but this has impacted donations of humanitarian cargo between NGOs.
• So far, the Logistics Working Group (LWG) has engaged with a total of 68 organisations.
• Upcoming plans include conducting an assessment and visiting Puerto Cabello Port to discuss with port authorities, in preparation for upcoming partner shipments.
• Regarding the upstream planning, the LWG is actively supporting the consolidation of information on upcoming shipments by air and sea to share with OCHA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Partners are regularly reporting their arrivals through several forms that are in place.
• On the downstream side, the LWG is facilitating access to logistics common services provided by WFP, including storage in La Guaira and transport within La Guaira and from adjacent states to La Guaira. Based on the plans of some partners to bring sea shipments to Puerto Cabello Port and Valencia airport, the LWG is also offering transport at no cost from these entry points to La Guaira.

4. Partner Updates

• An update was provided on the current airbridges being organised by the US Department of State and ECHO, and partners were asked about their upstream plans.
• ECHO shared that they are supporting cargo flights from Panama, with one flight last week and another planned for Thursday. There was a previous airlift organised for UNICEF from Copenhagen, and a second flight from Europe may be organised later this month; interest is currently being collected from partners. ECHO clarified that partners in Europe are also supported with cargo collection from different countries.
• The US Department of State shared that the first flight of the airbridge established in collaboration with Amazon and Airlink took place last week, and the second flight will take place this Thursday. Airlink can support with the collection of cargo to transport it to Miami, the departure location of the flight.
• UNHCR shared that they have already airlifted ~ 50 MT of humanitarian cargo within the partnerships they have with LATAM and UPS. They are planning for an airlift in the coming days with approximately 15 MT of cargo. 
• PAHO/WHO shared that they are seeking support to airlift an additional 31 MT of trauma kits from their stocks in Dubai. Yesterday, they received an airplane with trauma and medical kits.  
• ICRC shared that they are planning to ship 16 pallets from Europe.
• The support that the US Government is providing at CCS airport may be phased out in the coming 7-10 days. 

5. Telecoms Updates

• Power services have improved substantially since the earthquake, with fewer blackouts. ETC has been providing support by deploying different solutions, such as UPS systems (EcoFlow), solar panels and power generators. There are some issues with deploying generators, so other systems are preferred.
• Starlinks have been deployed, but some congestion has been reported due to private connections being added to humanitarian users. However, it remains the preferred solution.
• WFP, emergency.lu, local provider G-Network and CONATEL, the government communications entity, have developed an Internet Service for Communities to provide free internet services for people in three specific locations: Caraballeda, Cesar Nieves Stadium and the upcoming site in Playa Grande. This service will provide internet access to up to 1,000 devices per location.
• Next steps: improving the inventory of internet connectivity and power solutions in the camps. Planning to provide power services for charging phones.

Contacts