MEDIA ADVISORY - Press Conference: impacts of evictions in refugees and migrants from Venezuela in the context of COVID-19

Español

WHAT: Launch of the regional survey on evictions of refugees and migrants from Venezuela in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This survey gathers information from seven countries across Latin America and the Caribbean (Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana) compiled with the support of 21 organizations part of the Protection Sector of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform (R4V) and five universities from the legal clinics network in Colombia. The development of the survey, as well as the analysis of the results, was coordinated with the Rapporteurship on the Rights of Migrants of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Note: The press conference will be held in Spanish.

WHO: Julissa Mantilla, Commissioner, Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Migrants, IACHR; Enrique Torrella, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, HIAS; William Spindler, External Engagement Coordinator for the Americas, UNHCR

WHEN: Wednesday 17 February 10:00 – 10:45am (Panama)

WHERE: Register and access the conference through this link.

CONTEXT: The political, human rights and socio-economic developments in Venezuela have led to the largest movement of refugees and migrants in the recent history of Latin America and the Caribbean. As of January 2021, of the approximately 5.4 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela outside of their country of origin, some 4.6 million are hosted in the region alone, including an increasing number of them in an irregular situation.

The already precarious situation of many refugees and migrants from Venezuela and affected host communities is reaching alarming levels, as national and local capacities have been dangerously strained due to the continued impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Without savings or alternative social safety nets, the loss of employment has resulted in many refugees and migrants being unable to cover their fundamental rights, including access to adequate housing.

For more information on the situation of refugees and migrants from Venezuela and the response in place, please visit R4V.info.

Following the launch of the report, a High-Level Forum will take place on Thursday 18 February to discuss international standards on adequate housing, main obstacles, and recommendations to address the risk of eviction in the region as well as to present concrete tools to mitigate existing risks. You can register to attend the Forum here.

 

For more information, please contact:

In Panama

• Olga Sarrado Mur, UNHCR, [email protected]
• Juan Carlos Pacheco HIAS, [email protected]

In Washington

• Corina Leguizamon, IACHR, [email protected]