Venezuela’s political and economic crisis is generating a complex humanitarian emergency that is extending beyond its borders. An estimated 3 million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years, and the flow of migrants and refugees appears likely to continue. As Venezuelans leave their homes behind, they arrive in new countries where they are often unable to access basic rights and services, including shelter, food, medical care, work, and security.
Although several of the countries most impacted by the Venezuelan exodus have made efforts to accommodate arriving migrants and refugees, national-level responses have varied. Moreover, a coordinated regional response commensurate with the enormous scale of the challenge has yet to be fully developed. As the migration crisis intensifies, what policies must host governments put in place to afford Venezuelan refugees and migrants the assistance, rights, and protections they need? How can the international community support these responses? How can a coordinated regional response be developed to advance humane and sustainable solutions to the crisis?
Please join WOLA and Refugees International as we explore these and other questions in a discussion on the latest developments regarding Venezuela’s migrant and refugee crisis. Based on a recent field mission to the region, Refugees International will present its findings and recommendations for improving the response to the crisis in the contexts of Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.
Event Details
Wednesday, January 30
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT
Washington Office on Latin America
1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Welcome and Introduction
Matt Clausen
President, Washington Office on Latin America
Opening Remarks
Eric Schwartz
President, Refugees International
Speakers
Melanie Teff
Consultant, Refugees International
Geoff Ramsey
Assistant Director for Venezuela, Washington Office on Latin America
Moderator
John Walsh
Director for Drug Policy and the Andes, Washington Office on Latin America