438,000 children in need of assistance across region – UNICEF

…concerns raised about violence, discrimination

The number of migrant children escaping the Venezuelan disaster has been growing significantly and according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), that number has reached 438,000.
The organisation documented that these children are living in hordes and are in need protection and access to basic services. Some of the countries which have been receiving large influxes include sections of Latin America and the Caribbean which constitutes Guyana, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Trinidad.
Requests are being made for the respective Governments to collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the United Nations (UN) partners to find solutions to common challenges posed by the widespread situation.
UNICEF is concerned about reports of xenophobia, discrimination and violence inflicted against Venezuelan children and families in host communities.
María Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean said, “It is imperative that Governments, NGOs and UN partners in the region continue working together to protect the rights of all migrant children. Children are children first and foremost, regardless of their migration status, and we hope that host and transit communities will show solidarity and support for uprooted children.”
Some migrants, including unaccompanied and separated children, pregnant women, nursing mothers as well as Indigenous populations are said to be at increased risk from violence, discrimination, trafficking, abuse and sexual exploitation.
These risks are exacerbated when regular and safe channels for children and families to migrate are restricted and when border control and surveillance measures focus on repression. Consequently, dangerous informal migratory routes are the only medium for the refugees.
“It is important to remember that human rights standards call for states to allow children entry as a precondition for carrying out initial protection assessment procedures,” explained Perceval.
“Even when they are unaccompanied and without official documentation, they should be immediately directed to specialised personnel, who can assess their protection needs,” she added.
UNICEF has launched a regional response to support migrant children and families from Venezuela while in transit and upon reaching their destination. This involves working with partners to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation, education and health services. Temporary learning spaces for migrant children are also being established in the region as well as supporting protection and psychosocial services.
The agency is also currently working with governments in transit and host countries to uphold the rights of migrant children.