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By Reuters
Three million Venezuelans have fled the economic and political crisis in their country, most since 2015, announced Thursday the United Nations.
The exodus, caused by violence, hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine, accounts for about one in 12 of the population.
It has accelerated in the last six months, said William Spindler of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who called for stronger international efforts to ease the pressure on the country's neighbors.
US data in September indicated that 2.6 million had fled.
"The major increases continue to be reported in Colombia and Peru," Spindler said.
Colombia is home to 1 million Venezuelans. About 3,000 more people arrive every day and the Bogota government says 4 million people could live there by 2021, which would cost nearly $ 9 billion.
Venezuela, rich in oil, sank into the crisis under socialist president Nicolas Maduro, which harmed the economy by state intervention while repressing its political opponents.
He described migration statistics as "false news" meant to justify foreign intervention in Venezuelan affairs.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR said that the exodus was putting a lot of pressure on several neighboring countries, including Colombia.
"The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have largely maintained a commendable open door policy," said Eduardo Stein, UNHCR / IOM Special Representative for Refugees and Migrants in Venezuela.
"… However, their reception capacity is extremely sought after and requires a stronger and immediate response from the international community."
Representatives of the regional government are scheduled to meet in Quito, Ecuador, from 22 to 23 November to coordinate humanitarian efforts.
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