APA calls for more support for Warrau Venezuelan migrants

The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has called on the relevant authorities to provide increased humanitarian support to the Warrau migrants from Venezuela who recently entered the Kabakaburi community of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The APA in a statement called for the respected authorities to address the needs of the Warrau migrants from Venezuela as they are Indigenous people with human rights who continue to seek betterment in Guyana.
“Our call follows the recent influx of migrants experienced by the Region Two community of Kabakaburi and their forced relocation that followed just days after, even though the Indigenous community began to support and have since indicated their willingness to support them,” the statement read.
According to the APA, the migrants reportedly paddled for 8 to 10 days before arriving in Kabakaburi, where it was evident that they lacked food, clothing, and in some cases, medical attention.
The APA said that “their decision to undertake such a lengthy and dangerous journey speaks to the desperation of people whose lives are severely impacted by the ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela and the COVID-19 pandemic”.
It added that given the influx of migrants, the camp in Khan Hill, Mabaruma District, where these Warrau families have settled has become overwhelmed which could likely increase the transmission of diseases among the population, including the transmission of the COVID-19 virus as the pandemic is still ongoing.
“The APA understands that the camp in Khan Hill, Mabaruma District, where these Warrau families have settled has become overwhelmed. As we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, such living conditions will only increase the likelihood of diseases’ transmission among the population, including COVID-19,” the statement read.
The APA noted that owing to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, there was a need for better coordination that facilitated short-, medium-, and long-term responses to provide aid to Indigenous people seeking refuge in Guyana.
“As an Indigenous rights-based organisation, we believe that Indigenous Peoples seeking refuge in Guyana from the ongoing crisis in Venezuela must be given support specific to their needs. Better coordination is needed to include short-, medium-, and long-term responses. Guyana has a commitment under international conventions to provide humanitarian support.”
Several of the migrants, according to the APA, who were relocated remain in contact with residents of Kabakaburi and continue to call, begging to return for an opportunity to improve their living conditions.
There are pregnant women, children, and the elderly who are all caught in this crisis, the APA revealed. As such, it said that the Government should support Village Councils and villages that extend humanitarian aid.
“As a nation, Guyana must ensure that relevant and effective support is provided to all who are seeking it and to all who are lending support,” the statement said.
The APA noted that the Warrau tribe is a part of the demographics of Guyana and Venezuela and that only an international boundary separates the families.
It was revealed last year by the United Nations (UN) that an estimated 24,500 refugees and migrants from Venezuela are living in Guyana, including some 2500 Warrau. The UN stated that some have settled in hard-to-reach areas near the Venezuelan border and others in or around the towns of Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.
Since early 2020, some 250 Warraus also found refuge in Anabisi in northern Guyana. More than half of this group are children, according to the UN.