The Venezuelan Refugee Crisis
More on the Crisis:
Political unrest and economic decline has left Venezuela in prolonged crisis. The crisis has been further fueled by skyrocketing hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of food and medicine.
Millions have made the journey out of their beautiful country to escape the chaos, poverty, and violence that has consumed their home.
While many Venezuelans arrive in neighboring countries, hundreds of thousands are stuck without any documentation or legal permission to remain in those countries, and therefore lack guaranteed access to basic rights. Because of this, they are particularly vulnerable to labour and sexual exploitation, trafficking, violence, discrimination and xenophobia.
The inflation rate has risen to over 200,000%
A dozen eggs costs 1,600 bolivares, the equivalent of $160.
87% of Venezuelans say that they do not have enough money to buy food.
Many of these refugees have resettled in neighboring South American countries.
The majority of those leaving have crossed into neighboring Colombia, from where some move on to Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Others have gone south to Brazil and Argentina. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these routes more difficult to endure and many who have fled have lost their lives on the journey. In their new host countries, Venezuelan refugees are still faced with harsh discrimination, oversaturated job markets, and lack of capital to support themselves and their families.
“We left everything in Venezuela. We don’t have a place to live or sleep and have nothing to eat.”
— Nayebis Carolina Figuera, a 34-year-old from Venezuela who fled to neighboring Brazil
“It took us over seven days to reach Peru. We had nothing to eat at the end. We tried to spare all for our son, but he also went over 24 hours without a bite. He is only three.”
— Gerardo, Venezuelan father in Peru
