With more than 600 Venezuelan migrants now settling in the town of Linden, the town’s Mayor, Sharma Solomon, is once again calling for closer collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local leaders to address the possible burden that the migrants will place on the community.

He reminded that Linden is already strained of resources, and while the town has been compassionate in its response to the displaced migrants, it is cognizant of the social and economic challenges that have since arisen.

“Linden is compassionate. We have the values of human understanding and dignity, however, we must ensure that our local resources and infrastructure are able to support both of our local citizens and those seeking refuge and displaced individuals. This is a significant challenge that requires a collaborative and coordinated effort in line with our international understanding and obligations,” Mayor Solomon said at a press conference on Wednesday.  

According to the Mayor, the leadership of the town and the region, is prepared to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its Migrant Unit and other government agencies, in addition to local and international organizations, to address the situation in keeping with the country’s international obligations.

 The Mayor said currently Linden needs the necessary tools to support the migrants while safeguarding the interest of locals. He stressed a balance approach is needed. 

“We understand our obligations where government already have units and committees within the ministry to ensure that these sorts of engagements are done. Nevertheless, what we are uncovering is that those agencies and departments were never activated to deal with the issue in Linden even though we have placed this on record since December. So, now those agencies are getting involved, again, which allows them to now work with local authorities. And what we have been propagating since December, is for government to use the framework that is in those international treaties such as the International Organization on Migrant and any human rights convention, those frameworks are very clear on how local leaders and local communities can participate in ensuring they promote and support displaced people,” the Mayor said.

Solomon said when compared to the other towns and regions, Linden was not provided with the necessary resources and information needed to effectively accommodate the migrants. He said too that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd was also undiplomatic in his approach to treating with the migrant situation in Linden. 

While underscoring the need for a balanced approach, the Mayor said he is concerned that lands that Lindeners were forced off, are now being used by the migrants as squatting settlements.

The Mayor said tools that could assist with data collection on settlement patterns of the migrants, and employment, would be able to better guide policies for integration, and clearly identify needed resources. 

Related posts:

Linden leaders demand dialogue with Government on growing number of Venezuelan migrants settling in town Government to continue its support of migrants from Venezuela Linden Town Council will not be a lazy one -promises new Mayor Sharma Solomon Government agencies continue to examine ways to address influx of Venezuelan migrants