Govt to address influx of Venezuelans at border communities
─ a statistical report is expected on number of persons seeking refuge at Guyana’s border
─ much-needed supplies were recently sent to villages near the border shared with Venezuela
─ a delegation returned from Puerto Ordaz, in Venezuela, conducted an assessment to ascertain the effectiveness of gov’t’s response to the current situation
DPI, Guyana, Monday, July 16, 2018
The Heads of several government agencies will be meeting over a period of time to strategically address the influx of Venezuelans arriving in the country via the hinterland borders.
Representatives from the Ministries of Public Health, Social Protection, Communities, Citizenship, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Civil Defense Commission (CDC) who constitute a newly formed board, met for the first time today. The objective is to prepare a coordinated effort to give structure to the government’s response to the situation.
Leading the meetings will be Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix.
According to the minister, following this first engagement, several actions will be taken. “I can say for sure that during the course of this week we will be reinforcing the immigration department in Region One to deal with the irregular arrival of Venezuelans into Guyana,” Minister Felix said.
The minister added that the board is expecting an initial statistical report on the exact number of persons seeking refuge at Guyana’s border. He added that small villages like White Water in Barima-Waini have recorded the arrival of approximately 150 persons. A definite number on the recorded influx of Venezuelans is expected to be provided at the next meeting which is scheduled for Monday, July 23.
Meanwhile, the government is working to facilitate the influx of Venezuelans. Just recently, much-needed supplies including medicine, food supplies and camping equipment were sent to villages near the border shared with Venezuela.
“There is minimal (accommodation) arrangement in there because what has been happening is that Guyanese have been very accommodative but not all the Venezuelans are being housed. There are those that are sleeping outdoors so for those we have sent tarpaulins, hammocks, blankets, pillows, cots. So, we have sent in what we think is necessary to accommodate those who are in the open,” Minister Felix added.
The team headed by Minister Felix will meet for three additional Mondays where updates will be provided on the situation. Meanwhile, a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Citizenship has returned from the border town of Puerto Ordaz, in Venezuela. The team conducted an assessment to ascertain the effectiveness of the government’s response to the current situation.
By: Delicia Haynes.