UNHCR calls for "increased effort" to work with host countries of Venezuelan refugees

Latin America needs more help to deal with the Venezuelan refugee crisis, said Thursday Volker Türk, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of UNHCR, emphasizing that Of the $ 700 million requested by the UN agency in December, it received only 10%.

"The funds are not at all ideal, I think we should do more to help the affected countries, especially in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, but also in Argentina and Brazil and the Caribbean nations "Türk told AFP in Buenos Aires.

The crisis in Venezuela, the worst of its contemporary history with hyperinflation, scarcity of commodities as well as serious shortcomings in medical care and public services, pushed the country to leave the country. 2.7 million people since 2015, mainly in South American countries, according to the UN.

Colombia hosts the largest number of migrants and refugees (1.1 million), followed by Peru (506,000), Chile (288,000), Ecuador (221,000 Argentina (130,000) and Brazil (96,000).

A total of 3.4 million Venezuelans, about 10% of the population, live outside their country. According to United Nations forecasts, it will reach 5.3 million by the end of 2019.

"At the beginning of crises, we see these delays, it takes a while for the world to realize that it has to do more," said the manager.

"It is necessary to highlight the human impact (of the migration crisis), as well as the economic and social impact in the host countries, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, there are also people in below the poverty line, the educational infrastructure is affected and health care, "he added.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a plan at the end of 2018 to reduce the flow of Venezuelan migrants and refugees to Latin America. largest ever recorded in the region. , to provide direct emergency badistance, protection, socio-economic and cultural integration and capacity building in host countries.

To finance it, you need $ 700 million and Up to now, 10% of the funds have been received.

"It's a huge flow of people that we have not seen in a long time, comparable to the crisis in Syria. The world must wake up and realize that there is a very important humanitarian situation "said Türk.

"Venezuelans do not leave their country because they seek an improvement in their economic situation, the reasons are more related to the disruption of public order in Venezuela, the political crisis, the crisis of services", a- he declared. .