There continues to be an influx of migrants from Venezuela into Guyana, and the Government is examining additional ways to accommodate them and to address the growing number of migrants here.

On Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd convened the first meeting for the year of the Multi-agency Coordinating Committee to address the influx of migrants from Venezuela into Guyana.

During the meeting, Mr. Todd reiterated the government’s support for Venezuelan migrants who are fleeing hardships in their country.

“The Honourable Minister in his opening remarks reminded the Committee that the policy of the Government remains intact as it relates to support for the migrants from Venezuela. He noted that the long-term objective is to integrate them into Guyanese society but in the meantime, the respective agencies are tasked with combining resources to provide services in key areas such as Healthcare, Education, Labour, Sanitation, Shelter, Food and Clothing for the most vulnerable,” the statement from the Minister’s office noted.

Mr. Todd, stated that the government’s policy on offering support for the migrants fleeing a worsening economic crisis in Venezuela remains intact. He said important and basic services will be provided them.

With a high concentration of Venezuelan migrants in Region 1, the Committee was tasked to organise an outreach in that Region to provide services to the migrants based there.

Guyana has found itself establishing settlements in the border communities to assist those Venezuelan migrants.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 Venezuelan migrants have made their way to Guyana in the last few years. 

While the government has welcomed the migrants, the Opposition continues to raise the potential security and instability risks while acknowledging that migrants are covered under several international laws and conventions.

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