About the Crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela, a country that has traditionally been a generous host to refugees, is now facing its own displacement crisis. The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has become the second largest international displacement crisis in the world with 6 million Venezuelans displaced globally. Of the displaced, 4.8 million are currently residing in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rampant violence, inflation, gang-warfare, soaring crime rates as well as shortages of food, medicine and essential services have forced millions to seek refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. An estimated 5,000 people are leaving Venezuela every day.

While more than 950,000 have filed asylum claims, the majority of Venezuelans lack documentation to stay regularly in nearby countries and are not guaranteed access to basic rights. The situation for Venezuelans on the move is dire. They are exposed to heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking, violence, discrimination and xenophobia. 

Colombia and other countries in the region have been generously hosting Venezuelans, but their capacity to provide basic services have become increasingly strained.

What is UNHCR doing to help Venezuelans?

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has joined over 90 partners to establish a Regional Response Plan for Refugees and Migrants (RMRP) with the goal of ensuring a coherent and coordinated operational response to the needs of refugees and migrants from Venezuela.

In close collaboration with host governments, partner organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations and UN agencies (in particular IOM), UNHCR undertakes the following activities:

• Direct humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs, including temporary shelters, cash-based interventions, health assistance and education.
• Protection interventions for unaccompanied and separated children, indigenous communities, the elderly, sexual and gender-based violence survivors (SGBV), LGBTI community, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations with specific needs. 
• Campaigns against xenophobia.
• Safe and dignified reception conditions and advocacy for legal stay.
• Support of government registration, profiling and protection monitoring.
• Research to understand the specific needs of Venezuelans across the region.

Learn more about What We Do.