UNICEF implements nutrition and WASH plans focused on vulnerable families in Venezuela
Since 2023, UNICEF has implemented community-based programs in Caracas and Miranda aimed at strengthening families and improving the well-being of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
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At the foot of a mountain, surrounded by lush greenery and a cool climate, lives Mathías, a two-year-old boy. His family resides in Ruiz Pineda, a Caracas neighborhood where houses are clustered closely together. This proximity has fostered a strong sense of community. A drainage canal in front of their home protects them from heavy rains. To reach the bustling city center by bus, Mathías' family must walk about fifteen minutes over hilly terrain.
Mathías loves playing with his sisters. Mariayelis, his older sibling, says they often play tag and enjoy racing their toy cars. "We have so much fun together," she says. The family also bonds over watching television together.
Marianela, Mathías’ mother, is dedicated to supporting her children's growth and development. When Mathías was born two years ago, she was concerned about his low birth weight.
During the community mobilization days that UNICEF and its implementing partners carry out in vulnerable sectors to identify the most urgent needs, this family was able to find support and personalized accompaniment for the nutritional recovery of her Mathías.
Marianela says, “I bring Mathías every Wednesday or Thursday because he's struggling to gain weight. The team has been amazing, explaining everything clearly, from Mathías' malnutrition to using the RUFT. They even visited our home to teach me about safe water storage. I've learned so much”.
"They even visited our home to teach me about safe water storage. I've learned so much”.
UNICEF and its implementing partner, FUNDANA, are working on multi-sectoral components to identify cases of malnutrition in order to provide treatment for nutritional recovery and improve families' feeding and nutrition practices, thus strengthening the capacities of mothers, fathers, and caregivers to identify nutritional status and danger signs, as well as prevent malnutrition in all its forms.
FUNDANA team coordinator Evelys Figuera explains that they identify malnutrition cases through health center services and community outreach programs. “Community mobilizations bring care closer to underserved areas,” she says. “Once detected, we provide ongoing care, either at the health facility or through home visits in remote regions, until children are fully recovered.”
Support for good hygiene practices, basic sanitation, and safe water management is provided by UNICEF's WASH team during home visits. Workshops are conducted and essential hygiene materials distributed to families as part of the nutritional recovery process for the most vulnerable children.
Since 2023, UNICEF's community-based family strengthening programs in nutrition and WASH have reached over 9,500 people in Caracas and Miranda, and a total of 275,341 nationwide, to improve the living conditions of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers in vulnerable circumstances.
