The United States government will commit more than $35 million in humanitarian assistance to refugees and Venezuelan migrants in Ecuador, as announced this Thursday in a statement by the US embassy in Quito.
This amount is part of the almost 314 million dollars for humanitarian, health, economic and development assistance for Venezuelan refugees and vulnerable migrants throughout the Americas, announced by the president of the United States, Joe Biden, during the recent Summit of the Americas.
The new aid will serve to support humanitarian programs such as emergency shelter, food assistance, access to medical care, water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
The US allocates funds to Venezuelans in Ecuador
Also for increasing access to education, supporting livelihoods, responding to the covid-19 pandemic and protecting vulnerable groups. Including survivors of gender-based violence, children and adolescents. As well as LGBTIQ+ people and indigenous peoples, according to the embassy.
Regarding World Refugee Day, which is commemorated on Monday, the United States Ambassador to Ecuador, Michael J. Fitzpatrick, highlighted his country’s commitment to protect and assist refugees and migrants around the world.
“United States humanitarian assistance in Ecuador supports three main objectives: local integration, voluntary return in safety and dignity, and resettlement in another country,” Fitzpatrick said.
Support the spirit of generosity
“We recognize the efforts of Ecuador to welcome the largest recognized refugee population in the region and we support the Ecuadorian people in their generosity of spirit,” he added.
Since the start of the Venezuelan migration crisis in 2017, the US government has provided more than $250 million in humanitarian funds to support Venezuelan refugees, migrants, and host community members in Ecuador.
Additionally, since 2017, it has provided more than $36 million in humanitarian assistance to support Colombians in Ecuador.
Ecuador is home to the third largest community of Venezuelans outside their country, close to 514,000. Only surpassed by Colombia and Peru, according to the latest data released by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Acnur).
Of these, it is estimated that around 300,000 (62%) are in an irregular situation, which is why the Ecuadorian government announced a new regularization process that will be launched in the coming months.
