Venezuela - Meeting Minutes, Earthquake Response, Caracas, July 16, 2026

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1. LOGISTICS UPDATES

Import and Customs Procedures

• Information regarding the maritime and air import process for humanitarian cargo in response to the emergency was reiterated, highlighting the following aspects:
• Diplomatic missions, such as the United Nations, should continue to use the diplomatic exemption mechanism in accordance with current procedures, with no changes from those established prior to the emergency. 
• For NGOs, the import and customs procedures in place prior to the emergency also remain in effect.
• Reports on the movement of these loadings must be submitted simultaneously on the following platforms:
• Report to the website venezuelanoestasola.com; based on the experience reported by partners yesterday, after completing the form on the platform, the registered focal point was contacted via WhatsApp. Through this channel, they were asked to submit, before 6:00 p.m., the application form for overflight and landing permits, as well as the loading manifest.  In the case of the United Nations System (UNS), the agencies were informed that the loading manifest was not required. However, they were instructed to provide detailed information in a message regarding the contents and purpose of the loading. Once all the data was validated, they received via WhatsApp the Authorization Code for landing/embarkation and loading.
• Report to the GTL using the forms for sea and air loading; this information is consolidated daily and sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via OCHA. Subsequently, the GTL will share the verbal notes issued to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the focal points.

The GTL continues to compile questions and potential scenarios to clarify these processes with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Organizations are asked to continue sending their questions about the processes to ven.coordinacionlogistica@wfp.org. 

Flights Carrying Humanitarian Aid

• As of July 15, the GTL has tracked more than 700 metric tons of humanitarian aid delivered by air by 18 organizations on 24 flights. This information is available on the Logistics Working Group’s website.
• Humanitarian air bridges from Miami (supported by Airlink, Amazon, and the U.S. Department of State) and Panama City (currently supported by ECHO) remain available for organizations that need to transport humanitarian cargo to Venezuela. Therefore, partners are encouraged to take advantage of the available services as soon as possible.

2. GTL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• A reminder was provided regarding the logistics services available to humanitarian organizations at no cost, which include:
  • Transportation (with or without pickup) from La Guaira (including Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía), Miranda, the Capital District, Aragua, and Carabobo (including Puerto Cabello and the Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia) to the GTL warehouses in La Guaira. 
  • Temporary storage, including temperature-controlled storage spaces in La Guaira.
• It was emphasized that all information regarding these services is available on the website:
  • Please refer to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
  • Service requests are submitted via the Service Request Form (SRF) (link to instructions).
• All inquiries regarding these services may be sent to Venezuela.clustercargo@wfp.org

3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATES

• The Telecommunications Coordinator for the emergency response reported on the installation of backup power systems for internet connectivity at the César Nieves Stadium in La Guaira, in order to mitigate the effects of recent power outages.
• He also noted that a new field assessment was conducted for the Playa Verde camp in La Guaira. Additionally, they are assisting a partner in the process of procuring Starlink Standard equipment for projects as part of the emergency response in Venezuela.

4. PARTNER UPDATE

• Two partners reported that they have humanitarian loading in Colombia, the transport of which to Venezuela is still in the planning phase. They are currently evaluating available transportation options, including shipment by land or air.
• The partners raised the need for greater clarity regarding the procedures applicable to the importation of medicines intended for direct use in humanitarian projects as part of the emergency response, since the currently available guidelines pertain to donations directed to the Ministry of Popular Power for Health.
• Partners who are not part of the UN System expressed the need for specific guidance on the customs procedures applicable to the entry of humanitarian cargo into the country, in order to ensure compliance with requirements and facilitate a streamlined and timely import process. 

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