In Colombia a growing number of Venezuelans are arriving with increasing humanitarian needs and less means than those who arrived in earlier months.
The Human Rights’ Commission in Brazil reported alarming conditions in two Roraima shelters and asked to prioritize people with specific needs.
During the second half of January there was an average of 1,000 Venezuelans crossing via Tumbes into Peru on a daily basis.
Many Venezuelans arriving in neighbouring countries are in need of international protection and humanitarian assistance, particularly access to shelter, health, education, and other essential services. Host countries and governments receiving Venezuelans have been working hard to provide them with an appropriate response but they are also under increasing strain. UNHCR has been working to complement governments’ efforts and while there have been commendable actions, greater international support is needed in critical sectors, such as registration, documentation,
shelter, health and education to ensure that communities have the necessary capacity to respond.
According to combined government estimates, over 130,000 Venezuelans have lodged asylum claims since 2014, over 80,000 in 2017 alone. The majority are living in the Americas. However, many more are also seeking protection through other means, such as other legal forms of stay that may be faster to access and provide the right to work, access to health and education.