UN: Only 2% of Venezuelans in Colombia meet their needs

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Only 2% of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia were able to meet their basic needs last month, according to a recent survey of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The UNHCR poll revealed Tuesday that 84% of respondents said they cannot get food, shelter, or clothing.

The UNCHR said it is possible that "the very high percentage" of Venezuelan families suffer from "the terrible effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have on a population that was already very vulnerable."

The survey conducted in October-December 2020 showed that 71% of Venezuelan families would run "significant risks" if they returned to their country, and 75% of the Venezuelan respondents lack regular status, affecting their access to essential services such as medical care, employment and education.

"For this reason, the Venezuelan population in Colombia today cannot be characterized solely as migrants," underlined the agency. "On the contrary, a significant percentage expresses the potential need for international protection."

The poll was conducted before the Colombian government announced in early February that it would grant ten-year temporary protection to all Venezuelans in the country -- a decision welcomed by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migrants.

The new status will provide access to basic services including the national health system and coronavirus vaccination.

Many Venezuelan migrants struggle to survive as they face worsening poverty, unemployment, hunger, and a lack of access to medical treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colombia is host to 1.7 million Venezuelans, more than 37% of the estimated 4.6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean.