Venezuela situation
Venezuela situation
UNHCR works in the Americas and beyond to support the inclusion of Venezuelans in the societies that have generously welcomed them and find solutions, create stability and foster growth and development in these communities.
refugees and migrants from Venezuela worldwide (government figures)
asylum-seekers from Venezuela worldwide (government figures)
recognized refugees from Venezuela
Source: R4V.info - Visit the Data Portal for more statistics
“We left everything in Venezuela. We don’t have a place to live or sleep and have nothing to eat.”
Despite some spontaneous returns of Venezuelan nationals to their country of origin, the outflow of Venezuelan refugees and migrants to neighbouring countries and beyond continues. The number of refugees and migrants from Venezuela has reached nearly 7.9 million globally, according to data from governments. A significant number of them require international protection and humanitarian assistance.
While host communities and countries in the region have generously welcomed Venezuelans, they are increasingly overstretched. Several countries are implementing large-scale regularization processes to ensure refugees and migrants are documented and have access to rights and services. However, these efforts and gestures of solidarity require financial support to succeed and ensure no one is left behind.
Many refugees and migrants from Venezuela live in poverty and face difficulties accessing essential services and formal employment, according to the latest needs assessment carried out by UNHCR and partners from the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V). Half of all refugees and migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean cannot afford three meals a day and lack access to adequate housing. To access food or avoid homelessness, many Venezuelans resort to survival sex, begging or indebtedness.
Those who lack documentation, employment, and opportunities for local integration are resorting to onward movement, often risking their lives on dangerous and irregular routes.
What is UNHCR doing to help?
In close collaboration with host governments, partner organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, and UN Agencies, UNHCR is helping to protect Venezuelan refugees and migrants, respond to their humanitarian needs and promote their socio-economic inclusion.
UNHCR continues to provide life-saving assistance and address the basic needs of refugees and migrants, while also ensuring access to territory and asylum, providing legal aid and counselling, and upholding refugee law and practice.
To promote the integration of refugees and migrants in their host communities, UNHCR works closely with local authorities, civil society, and the private sector to provide vocational training to Venezuelans. UNHCR is also supporting the relocation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants to places with more employment opportunities and services.
UNHCR works with regional governments to strengthen registration and national asylum systems and advocates for the socio-economic inclusion and local integration of refugees and migrants.
Together with civil society and governmental partners, UNHCR supports temporary shelters and accommodation networks, community infrastructure interventions, child-friendly spaces, and spaces for breastfeeding mothers at border crossing points.
Emergency financial support helps refugees and migrants to meet their most urgent needs, such as food, rent and utilities. Venezuelans contribute to the economies of hosting communities by purchasing services and goods locally.
Are you a refugee or asylum-seeker in Venezuela? Find information about your rights and available services on our HELP site.
Are you looking for data on displacement in Venezuela? Visit the UNHCR data portal for the latest data and statistics on refugees and other displaced persons.
For information on UNHCR's operational response, budgets and funding, please visit the Venezuela situation page on Global Focus.
Reports and links
Are you looking for further data on the Venezuela situation?
The Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants (R4V) is made up of over 200 organizations that coordinate their efforts under Venezuela's Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
