Beatriz Ochoa, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) Regional Head of Advocacy for Latin America two weeks after earthquakes in Venezuela has spoken about the plight of survivors.

Ochoa, in a media update said: “Two weeks after the earthquakes struck Venezuela, many families who lost their homes have told me they are concerned about how they will meet their most basic needs. Thousands of people continue to live in temporary shelters, schools, parks and other public spaces. Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services is now becoming increasingly important to prevent health problems and the spread of disease.

“Many families are living in densely populated settings, with limited privacy, exposure to high temperatures and seasonal rains, and sometimes insufficient access to showers, soap and adequate sanitation facilities.

“I have seen families doing everything they can to maintain dignity in extremely difficult conditions. In one temporary shelter, I saw families organising themselves to keep common spaces clean, including through makeshift toilets and basic waste management arrangements. Their determination is remarkable, but families should not have to shoulder this burden alone.

“We urgently need support from international donors so we and other humanitarian organisations can provide access to safe water, toilets, hygiene supplies, and clear public health information to help reduce the risk of diarrhoeal diseases, skin infections and other preventable health problems among displaced families.

“Water is being delivered by tanker trucks to many temporary shelters, but families often lack appropriate containers to store it safely. Access to bottled water, showers and toilets remains limited in some locations. These challenges can be particularly difficult for older people, people with disabilities, pregnant women and families with young children.

“As displacement becomes more protracted, and the days turn into weeks, I have seen families beginning to organise daily life in temporary shelters, including preparing and cooking meals together. In these conditions, access to clean water remains essential to prevent disease and protect people’s health.

“Families need basic but essential items, including safe water containers, water purification tablets, soap, chlorine, sanitary pads and tarpaulins.

“NRC has already provided 1,400 displaced people with soap and other hygiene items, water tanks, and jerrycans for safe water storage. We will also be distributing tarpaulins to help protect families protect from exposure to the elements and have supported first responders with personal protective equipment for search and rescue activities.

“As the response evolves, we will work with communities, authorities, and humanitarian actors to establish more suitable solutions, including larger-scale water storage and treatment systems, improved sanitation facilities and community showers that provide greater privacy and dignity.

“The first days of this response were driven by the community. The world should know that this solidarity is not simply a gesture—it is a vital necessity. But it is now time for funding and aid to flow in and support longer-term solutions so people can take the first steps to rebuilding their lives.”

The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) Nigeria has called on the Nigerian government to impose diplomatic and economic consequences on South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, while urging authorities to provide comprehensive support for citizens who have returned home.

In a statement issued on July 1 and signed by the organisation’s Executive Director, Solomon Okoduwa, IYAMIDR commended the Federal Government and the Edo State Government for coordinating the rescue and safe return of Nigerians affected by the violence in Southern Africa.

The organisation, however, said the successful evacuation of victims should not mark the end of the government’s response, stressing that those responsible for failing to prevent the attacks must be held accountable.

According to IYAMIDR, the repeated incidents of xenophobic violence represent a political and moral failure on the part of South African authorities. It urged the Nigerian government to adopt targeted diplomatic and political sanctions, including a review of bilateral agreements and increased scrutiny of South African investments operating in Nigeria.

The group also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency and the National Assembly to publish a clear sanctions and engagement framework within 14 days.

Beyond diplomatic action, IYAMIDR appealed to both the federal and state governments to establish an emergency Reintegration and Livelihood Fund for returnees.

It said many of those evacuated lost businesses, homes and livelihoods during the attacks and now require psychosocial support, medical care, skills assessment, housing assistance and financial grants to rebuild their lives.

The organisation stressed that any intervention fund should be transparent, independently monitored and include mechanisms through which beneficiaries can report delays or corruption.

IYAMIDR further urged the Edo State Government to move beyond receiving returnees by fully implementing its Reintegration Master Plan.

According to the group, the plan should focus on employment opportunities, cooperative financing, trauma counselling and community-based programmes aimed at restoring the dignity and economic independence of returnees.

The organisation maintained that the issue extends beyond South Africa, describing it as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens wherever they may be.

IYAMIDR pledged to continue monitoring developments and advocating for justice, accountability and effective reintegration of Nigerians affected by the attacks.

A new data released by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) shows that about 2,800 migrants arrived in Italy by sea in June, marking a 10% decrease compared with the previous month,

Since the beginning of 2026, a total of 14,388 migrants have reached Italy by sea, representing a 30% decline compared with the same period in 2025.

The UNHCR said that 56% of all arrivals so far this year have involved Lampedusa.

On the humanitarian front, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 1,400 people lost their lives in the Mediterranean during the first six months of 2026. According to the agency, 62% of those deaths occurred along the central Mediterranean route.

Since January, Libya has remained the main country of departure, accounting for 83% of migrant landings in Italy. Algeria and Tunisia together accounted for a further 8%.

The UNHCR said that, between January and June, migrants from Bangladesh made up 30% of arrivals, followed by Somalia at 11% and Sudan at 10%.

The agency also reported that unaccompanied minors represented 19% of all sea arrivals during the first half of the year.

Between January and June 2026, 22% of people arriving by sea were rescued in the Mediterranean by non-governmental organisations, according to the UNHCR.