Photo journal: Life in a Caracas barrio

Many barrio residents get their groceries from the Mercales, government-subsidised shops which sell food – including meat, dairy products and vegetables – at a considerable discount.

Here a kilo of powdered milk costs just over US$2 (£1), rather than the US$6 price tag found in regular supermarkets.

Special foods go on sale at fixed prices in the run-up to Christmas.