US has destined 31 million dollars in humanitarian aid for Venezuelans
The United States has assigned almost 31 million dollars in humanitarian aid for Venezuelans fleeing their country to other Latin American nations due to the serious political and economic crisis, but recognizes that more support is required and therefore is working with several international donors so more resources could be allocated.
Martha Youth, director for the Americas of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the US Department of State, explained that her country's humanitarian aid sum 30.9 million dollars since fiscal year 2017 and funds have been allocated to shelters, food, drinking water, health services such as vaccines, documentation and identification of people who are really vulnerable.
During her visit to Brazil and Colombia (countries bordering Venezuela that have received a large number of Venezuelan emigrants), Youth noted that these nations have been "very generous hosts" and said that, like Ecuador and Peru, they have implemented a variety of mechanisms to provide temporary protection.
"Compassion and generosity have been extraordinary, but we also know that the number of people has reached a point that they need international support. The international community is working with the governments of the region to provide support, there are several international donors who have contributed and we are urging other international donors to continue providing aid," Youth said in a conference call from Washington.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that two million Venezuelans have left Venezuela and it is expected that by the end of 2018 that figure will increase to three million people. Youth explained that this displacement of Venezuelans is considered "the greatest" in Latin America.
The US vice president, Mike Pence, announced last week in Brazil almost 10 million dollars of additional aid, funds that include a contribution to the regional response of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) dedicated for the Venezuelan crisis; support for the response efforts of the UN World Food Program for Venezuelans who recently arrived in Ecuador; and other humanitarian aid to Venezuelans and the communities that host them in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other countries throughout the region, according to the State Department.
The aid the US will provide to Venezuelans includes food, safe drinking water, personal hygiene supplies, shelter, protection against violence and exploitation, as well as job and education opportunities, in coordination with other humanitarian organizations and partner governments.
With the additional 10 million dollars, the total amount of US humanitarian aid earmarked for the Venezuelan crisis since the beginning of fiscal year 2017 reaches almost 31 million dollars. As a complement to this aid, there are 18.5 million dollars in bilateral financing to support the displaced Venezuelans in Colombia who have fled the crisis in their country.
The United States is coordinating with the Colombian government to respond quickly to the needs of Venezuelans, Colombians and other people who have fled Venezuela, the State Department said.
