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Venezuela crisis: Red Cross set to begin crucial aid | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Red Cross (IFRC) says that it can begin distributing crucial aid supplies to crisis-hit Venezuela in two weeks. | The Red Cross (IFRC) says that it can begin distributing crucial aid supplies to crisis-hit Venezuela in two weeks. |
IFRC head Francesco Rocca said the group could initially help 650,000 suffering a lack of food and medicine. | IFRC head Francesco Rocca said the group could initially help 650,000 suffering a lack of food and medicine. |
The government of President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition are both said to back the aid move. | |
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó said the government had "recognised its failure by accepting the existence of a complex humanitarian emergency". | Opposition leader Juan Guaidó said the government had "recognised its failure by accepting the existence of a complex humanitarian emergency". |
In February, Mr Maduro used the military to block an effort led by Mr Guaidó to bring in US-backed humanitarian aid convoys. | In February, Mr Maduro used the military to block an effort led by Mr Guaidó to bring in US-backed humanitarian aid convoys. |
Mr Guaidó, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January, winning the support of more than 50 countries, including the US. | Mr Guaidó, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January, winning the support of more than 50 countries, including the US. |
Mr Maduro regarded the aid convoys as a veiled US invasion. | Mr Maduro regarded the aid convoys as a veiled US invasion. |
What has the Red Cross said? | What has the Red Cross said? |
Speaking at a news conference in Caracas, Mr Rocca said: "We estimate that in a period of approximately 15 days we will be ready to offer help. We hope to help 650,000 people at first." | Speaking at a news conference in Caracas, Mr Rocca said: "We estimate that in a period of approximately 15 days we will be ready to offer help. We hope to help 650,000 people at first." |
Mr Rocca said Venezuela had met the conditions for humanitarian work to be carried out. | Mr Rocca said Venezuela had met the conditions for humanitarian work to be carried out. |
Mr Rocca said the IFRC would need to be able to act with "impartiality, neutrality and independence" and no interference. | Mr Rocca said the IFRC would need to be able to act with "impartiality, neutrality and independence" and no interference. |
Mr Guaidó said on Twitter that the IFRC announcement was a "great victory in our struggle". | Mr Guaidó said on Twitter that the IFRC announcement was a "great victory in our struggle". |
The BBC's Will Grant says the agreement on aid is an implicit acknowledgement from President Maduro that there is indeed a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, despite his repeated denials over recent years. | |
Mr Maduro has yet to comment publicly on the move but, our correspondent says, is likely to paint it as the consequence of a Washington-backed economic war. | |
The US welcomed the announcement as a "real opportunity" and said it would be "happy to put some of our aid into this method of reaching the Venezuelan people". | The US welcomed the announcement as a "real opportunity" and said it would be "happy to put some of our aid into this method of reaching the Venezuelan people". |
Hyperinflation and a lack of supplies has meant food and medicine are often unaffordable, leading to malnutrition. | |
How are Maduro and Guaidó in conflict? | How are Maduro and Guaidó in conflict? |
They each claim to be the constitutional president of Venezuela. | They each claim to be the constitutional president of Venezuela. |
Shortly after Mr Guaidó declared himself interim leader, his assets were frozen and the Supreme Court, dominated by government loyalists, placed a travel ban on him. | Shortly after Mr Guaidó declared himself interim leader, his assets were frozen and the Supreme Court, dominated by government loyalists, placed a travel ban on him. |
But the 35-year-old opposition leader defied that ban last month when he toured Latin American countries to garner support. | But the 35-year-old opposition leader defied that ban last month when he toured Latin American countries to garner support. |
Mr Guaidó has continued to call for President Maduro to step aside and has urged the security forces, which have mainly been loyal to the government, to switch sides. | Mr Guaidó has continued to call for President Maduro to step aside and has urged the security forces, which have mainly been loyal to the government, to switch sides. |