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Red Cross to distribute aid in Venezuela next month
CARACAS, March 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Red Cross said Friday it will begin
impartially distributing aid in crisis-torn Venezuela in two weeks, brushing
aside the threat of political interference amid a power struggle between
President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition rival Juan Guaido.
Malnutrition and disease are on the rise as living conditions plummet in
the oil-producing Latin American nation, which is spiraling ever deeper into
economic chaos.
“We estimate that in a period of approximately 15 days we will be ready to
offer help,” said Francesco Rocca, head of the International Federation of
the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The United States — which considers Guaido interim president along with
some 50 other countries — welcomed the announcement as a “real opportunity.”
Rocca told reporters in Caracas the organization would begin distributing
aid mid-April, including tons of mostly US food and medical supplies that
Maduro has to date refused to allow into the country — leaving it stockpiled
for weeks on the borders with Colombia and Brazil.
The Red Cross — aiming to reach 650,000 people initially — would act
according to its principles of “impartiality, neutrality and independence,”
he said, “without accepting interference from anyone.” – ‘Victory over
sanctions’ –
Meanwhile, in a boost to Maduro, a Chinese plane loaded with 65 tons of
medical aid landed in Caracas on Friday. His government celebrated it as a
victory over US sanctions, which the socialist leader blames for the economic
crisis.
Though unpopular, Maduro has the upper hand at home, thanks to loyalty from
his military chiefs and, since last weekend, the presence of 100 Russian
troops.
“We are overcoming the purported siege, the blockade, which has been
undertaken by President Trump and the diabolical puppet from here in
Venezuela,” said vice-president Tareck El Aissami, referring to Guaido.
El Aissami, on the tarmac to meet the plane, said the medical supplies from
China was the “first cargo of several that start from this moment.”
It includes analgesics, surgical equipment and medicine for diseases such
as diabetes.
China’s ambassador Li Baorong said the delivery was part of previous
“cooperation agreements” with Venezuela.
Speaking at a news conference in Caracas, Rocca said agreements had been
put in place to guarantee aid distribution, but declined to give details.
In Washington, Elliott Abrams, the envoy heading the US effort to oust
Maduro, praised the Red Cross initiative and credited appeals by Guaido.
“This looks like a real opportunity, and we think that it is a response to
the efforts that interim President Guaido has been making,” Abrams told
reporters in Washington.
“So it’s very welcome, we hope it works, and — assuming that it does,
which we do — the United States would be happy to put some of our aid into
this method of reaching the Venezuelan people,” he said.
Maduro ordered the border closed to keep out the aid, thwarting a high-
profile February 23 operation orchestrated by Guaido to bring badly needed
food and medical supplies into the country where the UN says seven million
people are in dire need.
At least seven people were killed and dozens injured in subsequent rioting
at the border.
– Seven million in dire need –
The socialist leader said aid would be a precursor to a US military
incursion.
“That was an issue that was very politicized,” said Rocca. “If that help
complies with our rules and our protocols, of course we are willing to
distribute it.”
About 24 percent of Venezuela’s population — seven million people — are
in dire need of humanitarian aid, according to an internal UN report that
showed malnutrition and disease were on the rise as living conditions
plummet.
The report obtained by AFP on Thursday was presented this week to Maduro’s
government — which has blamed US sanctions for Venezuela’s economic crisis –
– and to his rival Guaido.
More than 94 percent of the population lived in poverty in 2018 including
60 percent who lived in extreme poverty, according to a survey by three
universities in Caracas quoted in the report.
Abrams nonetheless said the Red Cross assistance was no substitute for
toppling Maduro.
“The kind of aid that is needed for a broad recovery of the Venezuelan
economy really cannot be put in place until the regime is replaced by
democratic government,” Abrams said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0948 hrs