Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America. With the largest oil reserves in the world, many people had stable jobs, affordable food and access to health care and education. Oil wealth supported the economy and helped families live with security.

Today, that reality is gone. After years of falling oil prices and production, corruption, political repression and poor economic management, Venezuela has been pushed into a humanitarian crisis, one of the most severe emergencies in the world.

Economic Collapse

Venezuela’s economy depends heavily on oil and now oil prices are dropping rapidly and abruptly. Under President Nicolás Maduro, global oil prices fell and the economy entered a deep recession. Inflation rose rapidly and shortages of food and medicine became common.

Every day of life became a struggle for millions of people. Inflation reached extreme levels, with estimates as high as 682%, leaving families unable to afford medicines and other essentials such as food because the prices keep increasing. At the same time, the minimum wage dropped to about $0.53 per day, far below the international extreme poverty line of $3 per day.

Even people with jobs can no longer afford necessities and in 2019, only 19% of adults worked full-time.

Widespread Poverty and Hunger

Poverty and hunger are widespread across the country, with more than 70% of Venezuelans living in poverty. Additionally, more than two-thirds live in extreme poverty. When measured by income alone, almost the entire population falls below the poverty line.

Hunger has become part of daily life and a central feature of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Many families skip meals or go entire days without eating. In 2025, 60% of Venezuelans reported struggling to afford food, with even some of the wealthiest households struggling. Children are among the most affected, facing malnutrition, interrupted education and limited access to health care.

Out of a population of about 30 million people, 8 million require humanitarian aid, including four million children. Government restrictions have made the situation worse by limiting the work of soup kitchens with a new law restricting NGOS. Although free school meals are guaranteed by law, many children have not received them for years.

As conditions worsened, millions of people left their country. Food shortages, violence, political repression and economic collapse have caused one of the largest migration crises in the world. Around 8 million Venezuelans, more than a quarter of the population, have fled in search of safety and stability.

Humanitarian Support

Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to provide lifesaving support. UNICEF plays a key role through its Humanitarian Action for Children program, delivering clean water, nutrition, health care and education services to children. In 2025 alone, UNICEF reached almost 600,000 vulnerable people across Venezuela, including more than 400,00 children.

The World Food Program (WFP) focuses on food assistance through school meals and monthly food baskets. In total, as of December 2025, it delivered 792.3 megatons of food and, in 2025, reached more than 750,000 people. Similarly, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) supports Venezuelans both inside the country and in neighboring Colombia, which hosts almost three million Venezuelan refugees and migrants.

The IRC helps people affected by the crisis to survive, recover and rebuild their lives, reaching more than 50,000 people in Venezuela in 2025. Following political developments in January, the IRC stated it was prepared to expand its help if needed. Furthermore, World Vision has supported more than two million people through its Hope at Home program, focusing on child protection, education, food security and access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

The R4V Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants also coordinates support for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Its 2026 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan, backed by 152 partner organizations, aims to assist 1.2 million people while promoting long-term integration and giving them access to housing, food, water and education.

Finally, UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency, protects Venezuelan refugees and migrants by providing emergency aid and legal support. It also supports integration in host countries and relocation to places with better employment opportunities.

Hope for Venezuela

The future remains uncertain. Venezuela faces three overlapping crises: a humanitarian emergency, mass migration and political repression. Recent political developments have added a new layer of instability and it is still unclear who will lead the country next or how quickly conditions may change.

Experts outline different possible paths forward, from economic recovery and gradual return of migrants if conditions improve to partial stability or further displacement if political violence and insecurity increase. Yet, even in uncertainty, there is reason for hope. A political transition could open the door to economic reform and the restoration of democratic rights.

Combined with continued humanitarian support and international cooperation, real change is possible. The recent political events have also brought renewed global attention to a country already experiencing one of the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises. Increased international attention can be a positive force, helping to channel aid, reinforce humanitarian programs and keep the needs of Venezuelans at the centre of the global agenda.

The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has defined generations, but it does not have to define the country’s future. With sustained aid and political reform, recovery remains within reach. Venezuela’s story is not over and its next chapter could be one of renewal and hope.

– Jeanne Pellet

Jeanne is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr