91.4% of migrant and refugee families affirm that they would stay to live in Ecuador

Those who arrive have children in the country. And the figures could increase due to the increase in informal migration, which does not have a control plan.

It is estimated that in Ecuador, since 2017, about 500,000 live venezuelans, who have left their country due to the crisis economical and politics.

The report of the Working Group for Refugees and Migrants (GTRM), details that 91.4% of this population admit that they do not will leave Ecuador. Despite the fact that living and employment conditions are not the most optimal.

One of the main reasons is that, 22% has been at least one child within the territory, that is, an Ecuadorian child. Added to this is the fact that, according to the World Bank, Ecuador offers a high level of legal protection and social assistance “to immigrants and refugees, which include free access to education and medical care.”

This situation, says sociologist Lizbeth Regalado, could become unsustainable taking into account that Ecuador is experiencing an economic crisis and that there is also no policy on irregular income to the country. “With this I do not want there to be a xenophobic message that those who are there should leave, but that the income of new migrants, so that the quality of life of those who have already arrived and have formed families does not become more acute ”, he says.

Policies must adhere to the Constitution

For his part, the political analyst, Andrés Campaña says that the Constitution of Ecuador recognizes universal citizenship; Therefore, any norm that the Government raises must adhere to the constitutional content and the rights of migrants could not be limited. Although the Government has already tried to control migration events, for example with the reforms of the Organic Law of Higher Education, which seeks to ensure that free education third level is only for Ecuadorians and permanent residents.

This section of the Law, which has not even reached the first debate, has caused a division of social criteria. For Regalado, this rule would be unconstitutional and solor would unemployment increase and this leads to “crime, violence and precariousness.”

Open regular steps

The former Minister of Defense, Oswaldo Jarrín, detailed that, in mid-2020, the volume of arrivals and departures of migrants by clandestine steps increase. Foreigners enter Ecuador through illegal crossings, especially along the northern border, and those who leave do so through Sucumbíos to Peru.

This is confirmed by Daniel Regalado, president of the Venezuela Association in Ecuador, who details that it is impossible to calculate how many immigrants enter daily, as income has increased illegally.

For this reason, Campaña mentions that one of the first policies of the Government should be to regulate border crossings, such as Rumichaca, in order to have control and a registry of those who want to enter Ecuador.

A regional dilemma

During the Ministerial Conference on Migration (October 20, 2021), the ministers of American countries met in Bogota– Colombia, to address “the migration challenge” as a shared problem.

Among the emergencies raised was dis accelerating the flow of people fleeing countries like Haiti or Venezuela.

“We have to do many things immediately, such as strengthening border surveillance, for example, requiring visas and meticulously controlling entry (to countries),” he said. Antony blinken, Secretary of State of the United States.

Urgent financing

The Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) has obtained 34.5% of the funds necessary to address the migration crisis in the region. Well, it is estimated that among the 18 host countries $ 1.44 billion are needed to sustain the migratory arrival.

Ecuador It is the third country that requires the most aid, at least $ 236.4 million by 2021, while in 2020 they required 93.5 million.

Resources are distributed not only to the refugee and immigrant population of Venezuelans, but also to support host communities. (AVV)