Officials of the UN System in Venezuela and representatives of Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry received on Friday, June 19, the third plane carrying humanitarian aid sent by the United Nations in cooperation with the Government of Switzerland. The shipment includes medical, hygiene supplies and water to continue supporting the response against COVID-19.
The shipment from Switzerland is part of an airlift established by the Bolivarian Government and UN bodies to prevent and fight the pandemic, and support the different programs of the Ministry of People’s Power for Health.
The plane carrying 94 tons of humanitarian aid was received by Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs Jorge Arreaza, Vice-minister for Europe Yvan Gil, UN Resident in Venezuela Peter Grohman, and Ambassador of Switzerland to Venezuela Didier Chassot.
Arreaza insisted that Venezuela needs multilateralism and the United Nations to give a response to the people in times when attacks and sanctions have increased.
“During these months of pandemic, the UN Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, special rapporteurs, the President of the General Assembly and other actors have called for the lifting and easing of sanctions and blockades against countries attacked by the United States (…) However, the U.S. have worsen and multiplied them,” he added.
The Venezuelan foreign minister highlighted that in times of blockades and attacks, the UN must set an example to continue aiding the people and to fight for multilateralism.
UN Resident Coordinator in Venezuela Peter Grohman Peter Grohman thanked the government of Venezuela and Switzerland for facilitating the delivery of this new humanitarian aid shipment.
Grohman explained that these 94 tons of humanitarian aid to give a response to the contingency caused by COVID-19 are part of a joint effort by PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM and other humanitarian organizations.
“This third shipment arriving in Venezuela is thanks to the collaboration of the international community (…) Let’s hope this can strengthen the health system and that assistance reaches the people who need it most in a transparent manner and focused on their most pressing needs,” said Grohman.
Ambassador Chassot expressed the Swiss Confederation’s pleasure at organizing this flight with Venezuela and the United Nations.
“This operation proves Switzerland’s strong humanitarian commitment and good practices (…) It is important that all actors mobilize to support these efforts,” he said.
The shipment includes medicines and medical supplies from the World Health Organization PAHO/WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).