UN official pleads for more help to relieve Venezuelan refugee crisis as hundreds flea country every day
- The UNHCR estimates 4.3 million Venezuelans have fled economic and political turmoil in their country
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi appealed on Sunday for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries where they are overwhelming social services and sparking local tensions.
Grandi had planned to visit the Brazilian border town of Pacaraima this weekend, but authorities advised him to cancel due to protests by residents unhappy with the arrival of more than 500 Venezuelans a day.
Pacaraima residents closed shops on Saturday and marched through the streets to shouts of “Out with the Venezuelans,” “Pacaraima is ours”, “Out with the UN”, and “Brazil for Brazilians”.
The UNHCR estimates 4.3 million Venezuelans have fled economic and political turmoil in their country, mainly to Colombia where there are 1.2 million and to Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Some 180,000 have stayed in Brazil.
The UN and NGOs put out a humanitarian appeal for US$770 million at the start of the year and has received less than US$180 million, Grandi said in a telephone interview after visiting Chile and Brazil.