The initial quota, which consists of rice, vegetables, salt and vegetal oil, was delivered in Maracaibo, the capital of the state of Zulia, and prioritizes children under six years of age, who will have the food delivered to their homes as schools are closed, according to a press release from the WFP.

The Government of Venezuela and the WFP signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the beginning of the UN agency’s humanitarian operations in the country.

As part of those operations, food will be provided to students, mainly in special schools and preschools, and investments for the rehabilitation of school mess halls are expected to be made, and the staff will be trained in food safety practices.

The WFP’s operation will gradually benefit 185,000 children by the end of the year, up to the point of providing food on a daily basis for 1.5 million students by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Venezuela’s Humanitarian Response Plan has a budget of 190 million dollars, backed by foreign donors, the WFP stated.

The food for the children and the infrastructure of schools in the country have deteriorated in recent years as a consequence of the sanctions imposed by the United States, which the Government of Venezuela has denounced and described as crimes against humanity.

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