AN estimated 438.000 children migrating from Venezuela and those living in host and transit communities are in need of protection and access to basic services in the transit and host countries in Latin America and the Caribbean; namely Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago, UNICEF has said.

In a release, UNICEF said that, as the number of migrants from Venezuela continues to rise, it is calling on governments in the region to uphold the rights of migrant children and ensure they are protected and have access to essential services. UNICEF acknowledges the regional governments’ bilateral and multilateral efforts to jointly seek solutions to the common challenges posed by widespread situations of human mobility and recognises the pursuit of a strengthened coordination, aligned with international standards and national laws.

Nevertheless, UNICEF is particularly concerned about reports of xenophobia, discrimination and violence inflicted against Venezuelan children and families in host communities. “It is imperative that governments, NGOs and UN partners in the region continue working together to protect the rights of all migrant children,” said María Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Children are children first and foremost, regardless of their migration status, and we hope that host and transit communities will show solidarity and support for uprooted children.”

Some migrants – including unaccompanied and separated children, pregnant women, nursing mothers as well as indigenous populations – are at increased risk of violence, discrimination, trafficking, abuse and sexual exploitation. These risks are exacerbated when regular and safe channels for children and families to migrate are restricted, and when border control and surveillance measures focus on repression. As a result, many children and families may turn to dangerous informal migratory routes.

“It is important to remember that human rights standards call for states to allow children entry as a precondition for carrying out initial protection assessment procedures,” explained Perceval. “Even when they are unaccompanied and without official documentation, they should be immediately directed to specialised personnel, who can assess their protection needs,” she added.

UNICEF has launched a regional response to support migrant children and families from Venezuela while in transit and upon reaching their destination. This involves working with partners to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation, education and health services. UNICEF is also establishing temporary learning spaces for migrant children in the region as well as supporting protection and psychosocial services. UNICEF is also working with governments in transit and host countries to uphold the rights of migrant children. This means ensuring adherence to international standards and principles in official migration processes, comprising: the prioritisation of children’s protection over any other immigration policy; non-refoulement; the best interest of the child; non-separation and reunification of families to guarantee the right to family life; alternatives to immigration detention for children and families; and the guarantee of all children’s rights, regardless of their migration status, including the right to birth registration.