UNICEF and Venezuelan authorities to begin rehabilitation of water systems in La Guaira as earthquake recovery enters new phase

CARACAS/PANAMA CITY, 08 September 2026 –  UNICEF and Venezuela’s Ministry of People’s Power for Water Services are preparing to launch rehabilitation work in key water infrastructure in La Guaira state, including the Mamo pumping station and the Naiguatá water treatment plant, marking an important step toward restoring more reliable and sustainable services for communities affected by June’s earthquakes. The planned works are expected to benefit up to 250,000 people, including approximately 76,200 children. 

The works are expected to begin in October. Rehabilitation of the Mamo pumping station is expected to benefit up to 150,000 people, including approximately 45,700 children, while work at the Naiguatá water treatment plant is expected to benefit up to 100,000 people, including approximately 30,500 children. 

The earthquakes damaged and disrupted water and sanitation services in several communities, threatening access and having a direct impact on children’s health, nutrition, and protection. UNICEF-supported interventions have enabled 16,661 people, including 5,079 children, to access safe water since the disaster, but heavy rains and rising operational costs are placing pressure on temporary measures, signaling the need to accelerate this transition. 

“After the catastrophic damage the earthquakes created, the priority has been to ensure that children have access to safe and clean water. But recovery also means ensuring that families can rely on safe water both now and in the future,” said UNICEF Representative in Venezuela, Manuel Rodríguez Pumarol. “Continued access to children to provide water and sanitation services while supporting the restoration of safer and more sustainable services moving forward is the critical next step.”  

In both Mamo and Naiguatá, the rehabilitation works will strengthen pumping capacity and safe water production to increase the volume of water available through the distribution network. This will include the rehabilitation of filtration and chlorination systems, as well as the replacement of pumping equipment required to improve service continuity and reliability.  

Although access has improved, some communities continue to depend on water trucking and other temporary measures. Heavy rains, the limited availability of water trucking providers, and rising operational costs continue to place pressure on services.  

UNICEF calls on national and international partners to maintain their support and help consolidate the progress achieved and accelerate the recovery of water, sanitation and hygiene services in affected communities.  

“Recovery requires sustaining what works and strengthening the services that families need over the long term. UNICEF will continue providing technical assistance, supplies and operational support so that every child can grow up in a healthy and protective environment,” Rodríguez Pumarol added. 

For the overall earthquake response, UNICEF has mobilized US$25.7 million of the US$65.7 million required, leaving a funding gap of US$40 million. Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions are currently around 24 per cent funded. Timely and flexible funding is needed to sustain essential services and advance recovery.