In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency, along with more than 150 agencies and NGOs, are requesting $ 1.44 billion to assist many of the 5.4 million Venezuelans who have left their country and now live in 17 countries in the region.
“With the pandemic, we were left without a job and we were in great need. We lived very badly. The quarantine seized us very hard, ”says a Venezuelan woman who arrived in Colombia a year ago.
Thanks to one of the organizations that work with the UN, he has managed to get out of the pension where they were. “Two months ago we were in a better apartment and they helped us get out of the payday where we were.”
The difficult situation of this Venezuelan mother is the same that millions of her fellow refugees and migrants in Latin America have had to face, for whom COVID-19 has made their way even more difficult when they were already fighting against other obstacles
“It is often said that the coronavirus does not discriminate, but the reality is that the pandemic does discriminate. Poor populations and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected. At the global level, Latin America and the Caribbean with less than 10% of the planet’s population, represents a third of all deaths related to Covid-19 ”, stated the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, during the launch of the 2021 Regional Response Plan for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants.
Grandi explained that for the 4.6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants who are already among the most vulnerable, the pandemic constitutes an additional threat.
“The Regional Response Plan for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela 2021 that we are presenting today responds to the need of these people and communities, which includes physical health and psychological well-being that have been directly impacted by COVID-19, but also the aspect humanitarian aid and social integration, ”he said.
The Regional Plan, launched by the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency requires $ 1.44 billion to support vulnerable Venezuelans and respond to their growing needs in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The dire situation has led some people to consider returning to Venezuela, often in unsafe conditions, which creates additional protection and health risks. At the same time, the number of Venezuelans who continue to leave their country has also increased in recent weeks as containment measures are relaxed and conditions continue to deteriorate.
While borders remain closed, these movements take place mainly through irregular border crossings, exposing refugees and migrants to dangers and great risks of physical and sexual abuse, discrimination, as well as exploitation and trafficking.
Despite the challenges, there have been encouraging examples across the region of host countries working to ensure the inclusion of refugees and migrants in national responses to the pandemic, as well as their citizens, the agencies said. UN
Refugees and migrants are also supporting these responses, with some serving on the front lines as health workers or disseminating information within their communities.
“The response plan presented requires the continued and growing commitment of the international community and the private sector to respond to this crisis. Refugees and migrants from Venezuela and their host communities require our collective support more than ever; both for the urgent humanitarian assistance to save lives, as well as to accompany the development that allows supporting local communities and achieving sustainable solutions ”, added Stein.
UN press release
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