Urgent call for child protection amid Venezuela escalating crisis

World Vision calls for global support to protect Venezuelan families amid current scenario

San José, 3 January 2026 - In response to the unfolding scenario in Venezuela, World Vision is calling on the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to protect vulnerable families and children. The latest situation has escalated needs for the five million facing hunger inside Venezuela, and over seven million of refugees and displaced nationals across neighbouring countries, including Brazil. Colombia and Bolivia.

“Millions of Venezuelans dream of returning home, yet they face severe challenges in accessing basic services such as health, education, nutrition and child protection,” said Joao Diniz, Regional Leader, at World Vision in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“In times of uncertainty, children are the most at risk. We must ensure their psychosocial and physical protection.”  

Neighbouring countries - including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia - are hosting millions of Venezuelan refugees. These host communities require additional resources to maintain stability and ensure dignity for all.

World Vision has activated its emergency team in the country to assess the impact in areas where it has an operational presence focusing on the situation of children, safety and protection, and access to food and safe drinking water.

Latest assessments report

• 22 of the country’s 23 states have reduced access to food, water, communications and electricity.
• Increase in child protection cases involving potential sexual abuse, exploitation and human trafficking.
• Collapse of the health system.
• Increase in infectious diseases due to lack of access to healthcare services and safe water.

Venezuela now faces a humanitarian crisis, with almost 8 million people displaced since 2018. Nearly 60% of Venezuelans in Latin America cannot meet basic needs, and 6 out of 10 migrant children face food insecurity. 

World Vision, through its Hope Without Borders initiative, is actively supporting Venezuelan migrant families by providing child protection, education, protection and livelihood opportunities.  World Vision urges governments, donors and humanitarian actors to join efforts in addressing this regional crisis and safeguarding the future of children and families affected.  

How people in the UK can help

World Vision UK CEO, Fola Komolafe MBE DL, says:

“Supporting children and families who bear the brunt of uncertainty and unrest is a priority for World Vision. Being forced to leave home to find safety and security brings numerous dangers for children - separation from family members, limited access to education or healthcare, lack of adequate food and clean water, child protection issues and the immediate and long-term psychosocial impacts caused by understandable trauma."

“Our Children’s Emergency Fund and Child Sponsorship Programmes are vital to ensure our rapid response teams around the world are prepared and fully resourced to ensure fast and impactful delivery to families that need urgent care. We are grateful to those in the UK who show their generosity time and time again to ensure World Vision can continue to show up when disasters strike the world’s most vulnerable children.”

ENDS

For media spokespeople and further information please contact:

Sam Bishop (WhatsApp 07942 101023) / sam.bishop@worldvision.org.uk)

Louise Amodio (WhatsApp 07957 111780) / louise.amodio@worldvision.org.uk)

Media inbox: wvukmedia@worldvision.org.uk