IOM reaches out to Venezuelan migrants
Caption: Officials of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) interact with Venezuelan migrants. (IOM photo)
Caption: Officials of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) interact with Venezuelan migrants. (IOM photo)

– UN body assessing/monitoring displaced migrants here

THE International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reached over 793 Venezuelan migrants, particularly members of the indigenous Warrau tribe arriving in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The IOM, the United Nations agency for migration, stated on Friday that through its Regional Action Plan (RAP), the agency is providing essential non-food items (NFI) such as personal hygiene products (insect repellent, soap, toothpaste), cleaning products (buckets, detergents, chlorine), along with mosquito nets, hammocks, and blankets to “highly vulnerable” Venezuelan migrants in Guyana.

“Many Venezuelans are using boats to cross into Guyana, where they are arriving without food, shelter and other necessities. Since most of them are only fluent in the Warrau dialect, communication has proved difficult,” the IOM said.

The agency said it has distributed life-saving information, including guides on how to access documentation and the regularisation process in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Two.

Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Venezuelan Support Group (VSG) and the help of the Civil Defence Commission, the agency has been able to distribute information in borderline areas that are difficult to access.

It was noted too that through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the international agency has been working to understand the needs and identify vulnerabilities in the migrant population, particularly in those with a higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migrants.

“In a first phase, DTM was implemented in Regions One and Four, as well as in Georgetown. This initial stage of the study concluded on September 5 and will be made available later during the year,” the IOM said.

At the same time, IOM Guyana has organised workshops to train first-line response officers from the Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana Defence Force, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Communities, Department of Migration, and the Ministry of Public Health on issues such as human trafficking, smuggling and other vulnerabilities; direct assistance and referral systems.
Other UN and regional agencies participated in training sessions, including the Pan American Health Organisation, the United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

“These humanitarian aid efforts to assist Venezuelan migrants and strengthen government capacity in Guyana have been made possible thanks to funding from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF),” the IOM noted.

The government, through the CDC, has been responding to the needs of the vulnerable groups of Venezuelan migrants as the economic crisis in the Bolivarian Republic continues to impact its citizens; many of whom had fled across the borders of neighbouring countries.
This publication has reported on the difficulties faced by the migrants who have settled in the North West District. Some reported that they were shot at by law enforcement authorities in the nearby country while fleeing to Guyana.

Others, including returning Guyanese, have taken up odd jobs at various communities in the Mabaruma sub-region.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.