President David Granger said today that his administration is seeking international help to provide Venezuelan migrants with humanitarian assistance, as the influx of migrants from the neighbouring State is placing a strain on Guyana’s social services, particularly the public health and public security systems. He said this during the commissioning ceremony of the Stephen Campbell House, located at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown. The building is the home of the Department of Citizenship, Ministry of the Presidency.
“It is estimated that at present there are more than 13,000 migrants from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela who have entered our territory, most of whom are in our frontier regions so far. These migrants are placing a strain on our social services, particularly our public health and public security systems,” he said, while adding that Department has adopted international best practices to respond to the influx of migrants fleeing Venezuela.
“It is improving its management by strengthening its capacity to monitor and map these migrants; it is seeking international help in providing them with humanitarian assistance. Guyana’s extensive and often porous land borders increase the likelihood of illegal migration and emigration, including back-tracking,” he added.
The president noted that the wisdom of establishing this Department has now become evident. The country would have been unprepared for the present migrant challenges had the Department not been in place, he said.
The United States reported last year that it would have provided nearly US$4M for humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan refugees in Guyana since 2017. Funding includes increasing Venezuelans’ access to legal status, promoting social integration in host communities, and improving support and access to social services.
