"COLOMBIA"

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, announced on Friday that it has opened a reception centre in Colombia for the most vulnerable Venezuelans crossing the border. UNTV CH

The UN Security Council vetoed one and voted against another draft resolution to address the situation in Venezuela. UNIFEED

Venezuelans must resolve crisis themselves, Security Council delegates agree while differing over legitimacy of contending parties at 8472nd meeting.

Venezuelans must resolve crisis themselves, Security Council delegates agree while differing over legitimacy of contending parties at 8472nd meeting.

UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said much more “remains to be done to address the extremely urgent needs of the Venezuelan people” adding that the delivery of assistance is guided by “the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence” and must be “free from political objectives and delivered on the basis of need.” UNIFEED

At a press conference in New York today, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said his Government could “only hope sanity will prevail in Colombia”, that the deadline for the entry of humanitarian aid would remain “a big show, and that they don’t try to open the doors to a military intervention” in Venezuela. UNIFEED

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said “there is no humanitarian crisis” in his country adding that the economy was facing a blockade. UNIFEED

The situation for ordinary Venezuelans is increasingly critical but the United Nations remains committed to helping them on humanitarian grounds, UN agencies said on Friday. UNTV CH