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Venezuela Refugee Crisis

A group of people walk on the side of a highway.

Venezuelan migrants crossing the border bridge of Puerto Santander linking Venezuela and Colombia [May 9, 2019]. Photo credit: Josh Estey/CARE

Venezuelan migrants crossing the border bridge of Puerto Santander linking Venezuela and Colombia [May 9, 2019]. Photo credit: Josh Estey/CARE

Emergencies

Venezuela is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. 7.7 million people have fled the country, seeking refuge in Latin America and the Caribbean—the largest exodus in the region in a century. Another 7.6 million Venezuelans in the country require humanitarian assistance.

About the Venezuela crisis

Most of the Venezuelan refugees have relocated to nearby countries, with Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador being the top destinations, ranked from highest to lowest in terms of the number of arrivals. People had to leave Venezuela because of political instability, hunger, inflation, poverty, health needs, and soaring crime rates.

Currently, over 2.8 million Venezuelans live in Colombia. The mass exodus of people has overwhelmed the country’s health and education systems, among others, and has fueled rising xenophobia in the country. Colombia is already grappling with a prolonged armed conflict and is recognized as one of the most unequal nations in the hemisphere. The influx of refugees into Colombia is projected to increase.

Conversely, the number of refugees allowed to enter Ecuador and Peru has drastically decreased, leaving Venezuelans more vulnerable to abuse, violence, and trafficking. This decline also restricts their access to essential services such as health care, education, food security, and protection. In 2019, Ecuador introduced new legal measures that require Venezuelans to have a visa to enter the country. The Peruvian government also put in place similar requirements in 2024 for Venezuelan wishing to enter the country.

Yannete, 25, was several months pregnant when she fled violence in Venezuela after surviving multiple gunshot wounds. She now resides in Tulcán, Ecuador, with her husband and children. Photo credit: Leonardo Salas/CARE

Venezuelan women and children bear the brunt within and beyond borders

The crisis in Venezuela has forced thousands of children into a state of severe malnutrition, putting them at risk of dying, while many individuals are contracting diseases that were previously eradicated, such as measles. Moreover, teenage children seeking refuge in churches in the capital city of Caracas have recounted harrowing stories of being forced by their parents into sex work to support the family.

Spiraling poverty levels has affected Venezuelans, especially women and children, both inside and outside country. Many women have already turned to sex work in Venezuela and neighboring countries as a means of survival. The trafficking of women for sex and forced labor is on the rise across the region. Women’s often-illegal status in neighboring countries, along with the high number traveling alone, significantly heightens their vulnerability to sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse.

What CARE is doing to help Venezuelan refugees

In 2018, CARE began scaling up operations across Latin America to address the growing needs in the region. In Ecuador, Colombia, and southern Venezuela, CARE provides at-risk populations with cash vouchers for food and accommodation. CARE also provides humanitarian transportation and mobile SIM cards. Additionally, CARE offers kits for women that include sanitary products, diapers, soap, toothbrushes, and other essential items. CARE also organizes awareness-raising activities around gender-based violence (GBV).

One of the safe spaces for women and girls where they can feel both physically and emotionally secure and access support services. Photo credit: Liliana Arevalo/CARE
Juan, 31, walked alone to Ecuador with just a backpack, seeking medicine for a terminal illness that was unavailable in Venezuela. He now lives in a rented apartment in Huaquillas with support from CARE. Photo credit: Luis Herrera/CARE

In Colombia, CARE focuses on protection, health, and early recovery. This includes providing cash for protection, humanitarian transportation, legal and psychosocial counseling, and strengthening institutional and community protection systems. CARE also offers sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for pregnant women who have never had access to prenatal support. Additionally, CARE supports women’s entrepreneurship to reinforce their livelihoods.

In Peru, where more than 1.54 million Venezuelans have sought refuge, CARE provides food and cash assistance and refurbishes shelters and health clinics.

In Venezuela, CARE collaborates with local partners to enhance the humanitarian response for women and girls.

CARE also aims to work with the governments of host countries for refugees on longer-term integration needs. These needs include education, health services, access to social protection, legal advice, and entrepreneurial opportunities for Venezuelans.

*Last updated November 2024