Some 4.2 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Latin America need urgent support

Nearly 4.2 million Venezuelans living in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to suffer food insecurity, limited access to formal employment, lack of documentation and difficulties in obtaining health care and educationaccording to a comprehensive survey on the needs of migrants and refugees from Venezuela and other nationalities in the region.

More than 14,000 households participated in the survey, representing more than 41,500 refugees and migrants from 17 countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean, including those on the move.

The survey carried out by the Regional Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela, led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), revealed that the 68% of the 6.7 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants living in the region have obtained regular immigration status or the recognition of refugee status.

The agencies detailed that in 2023 alone, with the support of the Regional Platform partners, more than 1.3 million benefited from food security activities and nutrition700,000 received medical attention, 240,000 found housing, 230,000 benefited from integration opportunities and almost 300,000 received water, sanitation and hygiene services.

In addition, some 200,000 children accessed education and more than 980,000 refugees, migrants and host communities received humanitarian assistance, protection and integration opportunities.

Insufficient achievements

But while laudable, these achievements are not enough to ensure that all vulnerable migrants and refugees have access to a dignified life and basic rights, the agencies noted.

The survey results showed that More than two million Venezuelans remain in an irregular situation mainly due to the high cost and complexity of legal processes, as well as strict visa and entry requirements to countries in the region.

As if that were not enough, the socioeconomic deterioration resulting from the pandemic, combined with greater discrimination and xenophobia in the hiring processes, and the barriers to validating professional qualifications, has forced the 82% of Venezuelans working in the region resort to informal jobs, often in undignified conditions and poorly paidWomen are disproportionately affected, and their wages are generally lower.

Clear image

The UNHCR-IOM joint special representative for refugees and migrants said the survey findings provide a clearer picture of the situation faced by refugees and migrants of various nationalities.

“They put Highlighting areas where host governments and the international community need to do more to provide sustainable solutions, protection and humanitarian assistance,” said Eduardo Stein.

42% of Venezuelan households surveyed have food security needs due to the high cost of living in the region and the difficulties in obtaining formal jobs and fair wages. Many people go days without eating, prioritising the needs of their children, and must resort to begging as a means of subsistence.

In addition, one in five households surveyed lacks stable housingand some are forced to sleep on the streets due to lack of sufficient income and the xenophobic attitudes of certain landlords.

Risky trips

UNHCR and IOM reported with alarm that, given their desperate situation, many Venezuelans undertake risky journeys to cross borders, exposing themselves to risks such as violence, extortion, robbery, exploitation, trafficking, human trafficking and other dangers.

They added that vulnerable migrants and refugees of other nationalities, such as Ecuadorians, Colombians, and Haitians They follow the same routes, running the same risks.

Lack of financing

Around 89% of refugees and migrants from Venezuela and other nationalities who resort to these journeys They require urgent humanitarian assistance, such as food, shelter and protection.among other essential rights, the agencies said.

In this sense, they called on Venezuelans and people of other nationalities to toastsustainable integration opportunitiesón to avoid new dangerous movements.

They also reported that of the 1,590 million dollars requested for the Regional Response Plan for 2024 Only 13.3% has been received so far.