International conferences in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants
The exodus of Venezuelan refugees and migrants is creating great need in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2015, almost 7.2 million Venezuelans have left their homes as a result of the ongoing political, economic and humanitarian crises in their country. Over 6 million have remained in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Despite significant efforts by host countries in the region to support them, the outflow of Venezuelans continues to overwhelm the capacities of national support systems.
On arrival in their new host countries, many Venezuelan refugees and migrants need immediate support, including access to food, health care, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection. They also need help in finding employment opportunities that will allow them to contribute to and integrate into their new communities. Assistance in areas such as education, health care and access to dignified jobs reduces risks associated with human trafficking, sexual exploitation, violence, abuse and forced recruitment into armed groups. Host countries and communities also require support to welcome and integrate millions of refugees and migrants from Venezuela. These countries offer them hope for a dignified life.
Since 2019, Canada has provided significant funding and played a prominent role in maintaining the international visibility of this crisis. Among these efforts, Canada assumed a leadership role in organizing, delivering and participating in various solidarity conferences focused on the Venezuelan refugee and migrant situation.
On this page
- 2023 International Conference
- 2021 International Donors’ Conference
- 2020 International Donors Conference
- 2019 International solidarity conference
- News
2023 International Conference
On March 16 to 17, 2023, Canada and the European Union co-hosted the International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities jointly with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V). The hybrid event took place in Brussels and focused on showing solidarity with host countries and communities affected by the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis by mobilizing more resources. The conference aimed to:
- highlight progress made in the response
- identify gaps and challenges
- raise awareness of key opportunities, priority areas, gaps and challenges
- identify concrete future actions for maintaining focus on the crisis
- engage a wider range of stakeholders in the response, including the private sector
In total, US$879 million was pledged (US$542 million in grants and US$330 million in loans), plus an additional US$800 million in IDB investment loans that are expected to be leveraged. Canada pledged CAD$58.55 million in international assistance funding to support those affected.
2021 International Donors’ Conference
On June 17, 2021, Canada hosted the International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants jointly with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The virtual conference was an opportunity to increase awareness of the Venezuelan displacement crisis. The event acknowledged significant host country and international community efforts in the response and mobilized much-needed resources. The conference included a broad range of actors and highlighted the voices of those affected by the crisis, particularly women and girls.
The conference resulted in US$2.35 billion in pledges from donors. This included US$957 million in grants and US$1.4 billion in loans. Canada pledged CAD$115.4 million in immediate humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, health care and protection for those affected by the crisis. The conference also led to longer-term development assistance aimed at facilitating access to quality education, health care and employment opportunities for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and host communities.
2020 International Donors Conference
On May 26, 2020, the European Union and the Government of Spain co-hosted the International Donors Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the countries of the region amid Covid-19. The event was co-convened by Canada, Norway, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The conference was an opportunity to:
- discuss the unprecedented Venezuela crisis
- mobilize resources for the displaced population and the main host communities
- strengthen coordination among key actors
The 2020 conference resulted in US$2.79 billion in pledges, including US$653 million in grants. Canada pledged US$19.52 million. Global Affairs Canada and Alinea International produced a pledge tracking report that details the pledges announced by donors at the 2020 International Donors Conference.
2019 International solidarity conference
On October 28 to 29, 2019, the European Union hosted the International solidarity conference on the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis jointly with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Held in Brussels, the in-person conference was an opportunity to raise awareness about the Venezuelan displacement crisis. It sent a strong message of support to Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host countries and communities. The conference participants, which included Canada, reaffirmed their strong commitment to continue protecting and assisting Venezuelan refugees and migrants, while also reasserting their support for the efforts of governments in the receiving countries in ensuring sustainable integration of refugees and migrants in host communities.
News
- 2023-03-17 - Canada and EU conclude the 2023 International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants
- 2023-03-15 - Minister Sajjan to co-host International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants
- 2022-12-05 - Canada and EU to co-host the next International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants
- 2021-06-17 - Canada mobilizes international donors to support Venezuelan refugees, migrants and countries in the region
- 2021-05-06 - Canada to host next International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants
- 2021-03-05 - Minister Gould concludes virtual visit to Colombia and announces new projects
Related links
- R4V - Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela
- 2023-2024 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan
- Global Compact for Migration
- Global Compact on Refugees
- Hear their voices (YouTube video)
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