18 December 2020
| Español
The European Union (EU), UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are joining forces to promote integration and peaceful coexistence among refugees, migrants and vulnerable host communities in a new initiative being launched in 11 countries throughout Central, South America and the Caribbean.
The joint initiative will assist communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing greater access to social protection services and support to lessen the pandemic s socioeconomic impact and enhance efforts for long-term recovery.
The interventions also aim to strengthen the national health response by improving the access and inclusion of refugees and migrants in national health responses, while enhancing social cohesion with host communities through positive interaction and improved sensitization on COVID-19.
RMRP 2021 - Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (January - December 2021)
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BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The political, human rights and socio-economic developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (hereinafter “Venezuela”) have led to the largest movement of refugees1 and migrants in the recent history of Latin America and the Caribbean. As of November 2020, of the approximately 5.4 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela outside of their country of origin, some 4.6 million are hosted in the region alone, including an estimated 1 million with an irregular status. Despite the devastating and ongoing socioeconomic and human impact of COVID-19, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have continued to show great solidarity towards Venezuelans and to facilitate access to basic rights and lifesaving services as well as supporting their integration. However, the already precarious situation of many refugees and migrant