"The UK is providing an emergency aid package to treat malnourished children, and provide vaccinations and clean water to the most vulnerable communities affected by the Venezuela crisis… Today’s announcement of £6.5 million is new funding from DFID’s crisis reserve. The money will support humanitarian agencies across the region," the statement read.
The emergency aid is expected to result in provision of vaccines and vital nutrition to Venezuelans, improved sanitation and water supply, and creation of mobile health clinics. It will also help to meet the immediate needs of the Venezuelan migrants, namely by providing information services and access to personal documents.
READ MORE: Guaido Was Recruited by the US a Decade Ago — Venezuelan Envoy to Russia
"I am deeply disturbed by the awful scenes of suffering in Venezuela as a result of the [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro regime’s reckless mismanagement, with families resorting to eating rotting food to try to survive… While the UK has stepped up by providing urgent relief, all parties must immediately recognise the severity of the crisis and allow unhindered access for aid agencies," International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said, as quoted in the statement.
Tensions in Venezuela escalated when Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-led parliament, declared himself interim president on 23 January, disputing Maduro's re-election. Guaido's declaration was almost immediately recognized by the United States and some of its allies.
Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey and Uruguay have said that they consider Maduro to be Venezuela's legitimate president and called for non-interference.
