The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) urges the international community to help Venezuela's neighbors that are hosting Venezuelan nationals who have fled the economic and political crises in their own country, the UNHCR spokesman for Latin America, William Spindler, told Sputnik
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2019) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) urges the international community to help Venezuela's neighbors that are hosting Venezuelan nationals who have fled the economic and political crises in their own country, the UNHCR spokesman for Latin America, William Spindler, told Sputnik."We are dealing with an unprecedented crisis affecting all neighbouring countries. In spite of the efforts made by countries in the region, Venezuelan refugees and migrants are facing growing challenges and national services are overstretched. Therefore, the cooperation of the international community is urgently required to address humanitarian needs and support the receiving communities in the host countries," Spindler said.
The UNHCR spokesman praised the Latin American countries that had welcomed Venezuelans for their "remarkable hospitality and solidarity with the Venezuelan refugees and migrants."
"The country that has received the largest number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants is Colombia. While many (over 1 million) remain there, others have moved onwards, mainly to Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina. Brazil has also become a major destination," Spindler said.
Mexico, and Caribbean and Central American countries have so far witnessed smaller numbers of arrivals, Spindler added.
The United Nations estimates that about 506,000 Venezuelans are seeking refuge in Peru and over 200,000 in Ecuador, with many more having left for other countries in the region. UN estimates also put the total number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants worldwide at 3 million in 2018.
