Nery Santaella receives USA for UNHCR’s 2022 Gene Dewey Refugee Award

USA for UNHCR is pleased to announce Nery Santaella, founder of Voices of Venezuela, as the 2022 Gene Dewey Refugee Award recipient for her visionary leadership and extraordinary dedication to helping people forcibly displaced from their homes.

Nery approaches her work through the lens of lived experience — she is a refugee.

Five years ago, Nery fled violence in Venezuela. On her journey, she noticed that there was a severe lack of credible information for refugees making the trek from Venezuela to Colombia.  

Recognizing an opportunity to help other refugees, Nery founded Voices of Venezuela, a refugee-led media initiative that has become one of the most important sources of information for people fleeing Venezuela, reaching millions.   

Nery founded Voices of Venezuela to help refugees build self-reliance and integrate more easily into their new communities. The organization educates refugees about their rights and combats xenophobia and misinformation in host communities.

“The best solutions to challenges facing refugee communities come from refugees themselves,” says Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR. “Nery has worked tirelessly and created an incredible network that has helped hundreds of thousands of families as they begin the difficult work of rebuilding a life in a new country. We are honored to recognize and celebrate her truly lifesaving work.”

Nery Santaella will receive the 2022 Gene Dewey Refugee Award on Saturday, September 17th at an event in New York City. 

About USA for UNHCR

USA for UNHCR helps and protects refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. Supporting UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and its partners, we provide lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection. Around the world, we help refugees survive, recover and build a better future. Together, we give refugees the hope they deserve, restore their dignity and help them rebuild their lives.

Established by concerned American citizens, USA for UNHCR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.UNrefugees.org.