The Honourable Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, today, June 10, 2021, participated in the virtual International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants. The event was hosted by the Government of Canada in collaboration with United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
During his intervention, Minister Todd highlighted the importance and timeliness of the donor conference which he said clearly indicates the region’s support for concerted efforts to be made to help mitigate the challenges faced by the migrants from Venezuela.
The Foreign Minister further stated that H.E President Mohamed Irfaan Ali is committed to Guyana’s continuous support for migrants from Venezuela and informed the Conference of Guyana’s proactive humanitarian efforts to assist the migrants entering Guyana. Minister Todd also explained that the humanitarian efforts are coordinated by a Multi-agency Committee which includes a myriad of relevant Government agencies and departments, several UN agencies resident in Guyana, and individual experts.
In this regard, the Foreign Minister noted that because of the combined efforts of the Government of Guyana and our international partners, the migrants from Venezuela have been receiving dignified assistance such as access to healthcare, food and education for children, and referral to protective and other services for victims of gender based violence and trafficking in persons.
