[ti:UN Study: 1 of Every 3 Venezuelans Facing Hunger] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]One out of every three people in Venezuela is struggling to get enough food to meet minimum nutrition requirements. [00:12.52]That information comes from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). [00:19.36]The U.N. agency published results of a nationwide survey this week. [00:27.16]The findings were based on information provided by more than 8,300 people. [00:35.68]The World Food Program says the study was done at the invitation of the Venezuelan government. [00:44.88]The survey showed that a total of 9.3 million people are moderately or severely food insecure. [00:56.52]Food insecurity is defined as an individual being unable to meet basic dietary needs. [01:07.04]The World Food Program report describes food insecurity as a nationwide concern. [01:15.36]Even in wealthy areas, one in five people are estimated to be food insecure. [01:23.88]Venezuelan opposition leader Miguel Pizarro said, "The reality of this report [01:31.24]shows the gravity of the social, economic and political crisis in our country." [01:38.92]He spoke to The Associated Press. [01:42.88]Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been largely unwilling in recent years [01:50.56]to invite international organizations to study the nation's crisis. [01:57.00]However, the World Food Program said it was permitted "full independence" [02:03.56]and collected information throughout the country without any interference. [02:11.00]The U.N. agency added that, "WFP looks forward to a continuation of its dialogue with the Venezuelan government [02:21.08]and discussions that will focus on the way forward to provide assistance for those who are food insecure." [02:30.04]The study found that 74 percent of families have taken steps to deal with food-related issues, [02:38.56]such as reducing the variety and quality of food they eat. [02:44.76]Sixty percent of families reported cutting portion sizes in meals. [02:51.28]Thirty-three percent said they had accepted food as payment for work, [02:57.24]while 20 percent reported selling family belongings to cover basic needs. [03:05.52]The issue appears to be one that is less about the availability of food and more about the difficulty in getting it. [03:15.44]Seven in 10 reported that food could always be found but said it is difficult to buy because of high prices. [03:25.84]Thirty-seven percent reported they had lost their job or business as a result of economic conditions. [03:35.40]Venezuela's political and humanitarian crisis has led more than 4.5 million people to flee the country in recent years. [03:47.32]Maduro has remained in office, beating back a campaign by opposition leader Juan Guaidó to remove him from power. [03:58.36]The study also looked at breaks in access to electricity and water. [04:04.92]It found that four in 10 homes experience daily power cuts. [04:11.40]Four in 10 also reported repeated breaks in water service. [04:17.68]Carolina Fernández, a rights activist, works with at risk women in Venezuela. [04:26.20]She notes that the study was done in 2019. [04:31.28]Fernández said she believes the economic situation has become even worse since then. [04:38.84]She added that the conditions makes it difficult for many families to survive on money sent by relatives living overseas. [04:49.36]"Now it's not enough to have one person living abroad," she said. [04:55.28]Fernández said food insecurity is likely to have a lasting effect on a generation of young Venezuelans going hungry. [05:06.88]She said, "We're talking about children who are going to have long-term problems because they're not eating adequately." [05:16.88]I'm Ashley Thompson. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM