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Add to Preferred SourcesAs the number of refugees and migrants from Venezuela tops 4 million, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements made an impassioned appeal for more support for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean hosting those in need of international protection.
“Protection is needed now more than ever,” said Clements. “Colombians and Ecuadorians are opening up their homes and their communities and they deserve our support. Stronger engagement by the international community is essential.”
During a weeklong visit to Ecuador and Colombia, Clements heard stories of desperation, fear, violence. She spoke with broken families who left everything behind – their home country, their possessions, their lives, and dreams – in order to reach safety.
The Deputy High Commissioner visited the region to survey opportunities to support countries hosting Venezuelans in line with a humanitarian response plan that is only 21 percent funded.
More than a million Venezuelans have arrived in Ecuador since 2018. Some are staying in the country – more than 260,000, according to immigration authorities – while others continue further south in search of safety and better opportunities.
In Rumichaca, the main border point between Colombia and Ecuador, Clements spoke with some of the 1,650 Venezuelans who cross on average every day. Among them were families who had been walking for days and weeks, many lacking documents and a clear plan of what to do next.
Clements also highlighted the importance of ensuring that people who have been forced to flee “continue to have access to international protection” and that they are able to obtain temporary residence permits or other visas to ensure safety.
Original source: UNHCR
Published on 12 June 2019