Venezuela. Empowering communities through water governance in Sucre State
In a country facing one of the most complex humanitarian situations in Latin America, reliable access to safe water remains a daily challenge for millions. In...
Read moreEl contenido de este sitio también está disponible en español. Pasar a español
Since 2018, COOPI has reactivated a stable presence in Venezuela, working through a regional approach to the crisis involving several countries in Latin America.
Venezuela is currently experiencing a complex socioeconomic situation that has created significant challenges across various aspects of the country’s social and productive life. This context has affected both the internal dynamics of many communities and regional human mobility patterns. Despite institutional efforts to mitigate these effects, remain persistent gaps that require a coordinated, technical, and locally sensitive approach.
Within this framework, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale has maintained an operational presence in Venezuela since 2018, implementing actions aligned with the principles of complementarity, institutional coordination, and the strengthening of local capacities. Its interventions are based on a comprehensive protection approach, aiming to support communities facing the greatest barriers to access essential goods and services.
In close coordination with relevant authorities, community organizations, and technical partners, COOPI focuses its efforts on the sectors of protection, sexual and reproductive health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), environment, and sustainable livelihoods. It promotes context-specific, culturally appropriate, and sustainable solutions. All actions carried out by COOPI in the country are guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and respect for national institutions, with a strong commitment to contribute, from a technical and collaborative perspective, to the strengthening of resilient, inclusive, and locally aligned community environments.
COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale currently operates in five Venezuelan states: Sucre, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Distrito Capital, and Miranda. Its work focuses on strengthening community capacities and supporting people in vulnerable situations, particularly women survivors of gender-based violence and individuals at risk of trafficking.
In close collaboration with local authorities, community organizations, and technical partners, COOPI implements actions in key sectors such as protection, health, WASH, environment, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. All interventions follow a multisectoral, people-centered approach, aligned with institutional efforts and guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and respect for national institutions, with a strong commitment to sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions.
In the current Venezuelan context, significant protection challenges persist, particularly regarding gender-based violence, human trafficking, and other forms of violence that disproportionately affect women, adolescents, and LGBTIQ+ individuals. While local systems have made notable efforts, structural limitations hinder a comprehensive response, especially in communities with limited access. In this context, COOPI supports and complements local efforts by strengthening community and institutional capacities through a people-centered, culturally appropriate approach aligned with national frameworks and in close coordination with local actors.
In Venezuela, COOPI promotes protection activities at various levels:
project
beneficiaries
COOPI promotes a fair and broader access to water and contributes to the dissemination of good hygiene practices, working from the community level and intervening at various levels:
projects
beneficiaries
Within the current economic and social scenario in Venezuela, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), has been implementing a project since 2023 in Sucre State to improve the food security of the most vulnerable communities. This project aims to mitigate food insecurity and strengthen the resilience of families affected by food shortages and malnutrition, combining direct assistance through modalities such as food distribution and cooked meals.
project
beneficiaries
COOPI's priority sectors of intervention in the near future in Venezuela will continue to be:
Among the areas of intervention that COOPI aims to strengthen in the coming years is the socio-economic recovery of vulnerable groups, enabling them to access employment alternatives and improve their living conditions.
Protection Cluster (including the Areas of Responsibility for GBV and Child Protection) • Working Group for the Prevention and Response to Human Trafficking (GTTdP) • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Group • WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Cluster • Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster • Logistics Cluster • Shelter, Energy, and Non-Food Items Cluster
United Nations • IOM • Humanitarian Coordination Forums • NGO Forum • Municipalities • Ministries
Asociación Civil Tinta Violeta • PLAFAM • Cedisuc • Visión Mujer • Hias Venezuela
Acted • Cesvi • Première Urgence Internationale • Solidarité Internationale
COOPI - VENEZUELA Av. Andrés Bello, entre 3a y 4a transversal, Ed. Los Palos Grandes, Chacao, Miranda, Caracas