Approximately two million people have fled Venezuela’s economic and political crisis since 2015, the United Nations said Tuesday, calling for a “non-political” response to an exodus that is straining regional resources. They are specially fleeing to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.
Last week, Ecuador declared a state of emergency in three of its provinces in an effort to cope with the growing influx of migrants from Venezuela. The Foreign Ministry said up to 4,000 Venezuelans are seeking entry into Ecuador each day.
“Some 5,000 people are now leaving Venezuela daily – the largest population movement in Latin America’s recent history,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) chief Filippo Grandi told the organisation’s executive committee on Monday.
He also stated “A non-political and humanitarian approach is essential to help states receiving them in growing numbers”.
UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told AFP that 1.9 million people had left the country since 2015, an increase on a previous count of 1.6 milion.
Quoting government data, William Spindler, UNHCR spokesman told AFP that 1.9 million people had left the country since 2015, an increase on a previous count of 1.6 milion.
2.6 million Venezuelans are now living abroad, according to the UNHCR.
> Shiuly Rina
