Summary
Venezuela - Meeting Minutes, Earthquake Response, Caracas, July 20, 2026
Content
| LOCATION |
Caracas, Venezuela
|
| DATE |
July 20, 2026
|
| CHAIR |
Logistics Working Group (GTL)
|
| PARTICIPANTS | Acción Solidaria, Americares, Firefighters for Firefighters, Catholic Relief Services, Corpo Italiano di Soccorso dell'Ordine di Malta (CISOM), International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP), Building Futures, Corus International, CARE, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Food For The Poor (FFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Hulo, Humanity & Inclusion (HI), International Medical Corps (IMC), Doctors Without Borders (MSF), United Nations Office For The Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), International Organisation For Migration (IOM), Plan International, Oxfam, PALUZ, Première Urgence Internationale (PUI), World Food Programme (WFP), Rescue Response International (RRI), Solidarities, World Vision. |
| AGENDA |
|
| ACTION POINTS |
|
1. LOGISTICS UPDATES
- Notification Processes for the Arrival of Cargo by Air and Sea
- The importance of promptly reporting the movement of humanitarian cargo was reiterated. Likewise, the GTL continues to consolidate arrival information daily to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with OCHA.
- Organizations transporting humanitarian cargo to Venezuela by air or sea must continue to follow the import procedures in place prior to the emergency. In the case of diplomatic missions, such as the United Nations, they must apply for the corresponding diplomatic exemption in accordance with current procedures. Likewise, NGOs should also follow the import and customs procedures previously established by the country.
- In addition, to report loading movements to Venezuelan authorities, the GTL recommends continuing to submit the following reports in parallel:
- Report to the website venezuelanoestasola.com, established by the Ministry of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Based on the experience reported by some partners, after completing the form on the platform, the registered point of contact was reached 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), 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.
- Reports are submitted to the GTL via the forms for sea and air loading; this information is consolidated daily and sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through OCHA. Subsequently, the GTL will share the verbal notes issued to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the focal points.
A summary of the processes can be found here: Infographics summarizing air and sea loading reports.
- Report on Flights Carrying Humanitarian Aid
- The GTL has been monitoring flights arriving in the country with humanitarian cargo for the emergency response, recording 806 metric tons (MT) of cargo transported via 27 humanitarian flights, including sectors such as health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, food, shelter, and housing, as tracked through July 19. This information is available on the Logistics Working Group’s website.
2. PROCESS FOR REQUESTING FREE SERVICES FROM THE GTL
- A reminder was provided regarding the no-cost logistics services available to humanitarian organizations, including temporary storage in La Guaira (with the option of temperature-controlled spaces) and ground transportation from La Guaira, Miranda, the Capital District, Aragua, and Carabobo to GTL warehouses. All these details are available on the website: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- If these services are required, partners must complete the Service Request Form (SRF), the instructions for which are available on the website. Partners are also advised to submit their requests at least two days prior to the scheduled service date.
- All inquiries regarding these services may be sent to venezuela.clustercargo@wfp.org. Furthermore, members with additional requirements for these services that are not detailed in the SOPs may inquire about their feasibility; the GTL may be able to expand these services in accordance with the logistical needs presented by the members.
3. SUPPLIER DATABASE UPDATE
- The supplier database generated by the GTL has been updated, incorporating new suppliers based on reports received from members during the emergency response. This database is for informational and reference purposes only, as the GTL merely compiles and consolidates the information provided by partners without conducting any validation, recommendation, or selection processes for suppliers, nor does it maintain any contractual relationship with them.
- These suppliers are identified under a new category called “2026 Earthquake Emergency.”
- The GTL will share this database via the mailing list.
4. TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATES
- The Telecommunications Coordinator for the emergency response reported on the installation of solar panels at the Cesar Nieves Stadium in La Guaira to keep the communications infrastructure operational and reduce risks associated with inconsistent power supply at the site.
- Additionally, he announced that SpaceX will be accepting requests for donations of Starlink equipment through July 23. Please note that this donation includes a three-month connectivity plan to ensure connectivity for organizations providing emergency response in disaster-affected areas. It was also noted that standard terminals are more widely available, while mini devices are in more limited supply.
5. PARTNER UPDATE
- The GTL conducted a brief survey among its partners to gauge organizations’ interest in shipping cargo from Colombia. The results showed that at least 14 organizations are considering moving cargo via this route; therefore, the GTL will begin a process of gathering and consolidating information to determine actual demand, identify partners’ operational needs, and evaluate possible logistical support mechanisms.
- Hulo has organized a meeting open to all interested parties to discuss the possibility of transporting humanitarian cargo from Colombia to Venezuela, with the aim of identifying demand, analyzing possible routes, and evaluating joint alternatives that could be pursued. This invitation will be shared with partners via the mailing list, and the meeting will take place on July 21.
- Bomberos por Bomberos announced its plans to transport WASH humanitarian aid from Madrid to Caracas and is currently verifying the import procedures that must be followed.
- ECHO reported that it is tentatively planning two additional flights from Europe for late July and early August.
CONTACTS
| For general inquiries | ven.coordinacionlogistica@wfp.org | |
| For inquiries about services | venezuela.clustercargo@wfp.org | |
| Andrea Acosta | GTL Coordinator | andrea.acosta@wfp.org |
| Iris Pérez | GTL Information Management Assistant | iris.perez@wfp.org |
| Francisco Castillo | Telecommunications Coordinator for Emergency Response | francisco.castillo@wfp.org |
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