–Foreign Minister tells int’l conference

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd, on Friday, participated virtually in the International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities. The event was held in a hybrid format in Brussels.

According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, during his intervention, Minister Todd highlighted the co-ordinated response of the Government of Guyana to address the situation of migrants from Venezuela through the Multi-agency Co-ordination Committee.

He indicated that as a matter of priority, the government continues to offer registration and regularization services, socio-economic and cultural integration into the Guyanese society, the provision of healthcare, education for migrant children, referrals to protective and social services, and necessary support for the vulnerable.

Minister Todd also underscored the commitment of the Government of Guyana to render humanitarian assistance to all migrants from Venezuela.

The principal objectives of the conference were to maintain the visibility of the crisis and to continue to generate resources to support host countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are undertaking the task of integrating Venezuelan refugees and migrants into their society.

The conference was organised by the Government of Canada and the European Union main, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Inter-Agency Co-ordination Platform for Refugees; migrants from Venezuela (R4V).

The conference featured the participation of a broad range of actors, including host governments, international organisations, UN agencies, donors, the private sector, and civil society.