Migrants’ issue being handled from humanitarian perspective – Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali has positioned that Government is working to address the situation of migrants in Guyana from a humanitarian perspective, and not refugee camps.
During a recent engagement, the Head of State indicated that the issue of migrants entering the country is a serious concern for authorities, and his Administration is strategising a response to not only support these persons, but integrate them into communities.
“This is a serious issue for our country…The truth is up to yesterday, we had a high-level meeting, not only strategising as to support migrants but how do we incorporate them into communities. How do we support their livelihoods, hygiene, health? We’re not running refugee camps like many countries. We are approaching this from a humanitarian perspective.”
He reminded that in addition to the Task Force being effectuated, Guyana Police Force, Cabinet Members and the international community among other stakeholders are monitoring the situation and making rational decisions. The international community has also been briefed as of this week.
“We had a briefing with the international community. We have established a high-level task force…We do recognise that this is a serious issue. We also have serious concerns.”

Just a few months ago, the United Nations had disclosed that Guyana is currently home to an estimated 24,500 refugees and migrants from Venezuela, including some 2500 Indigenous Warraus.
Assessments conducted in October and November among the Warrau refugee and migrant households indicated mounting needs, aggravated by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, Government said it would work in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IMO), to draft a migration policy for those Guyanese who have returned to Guyana from Venezuela. It would entail a holistic plan to deal with those Guyanese returning from Venezuela, and those Venezuelans who have fled their country due to the political and economic crisis.
Last week, it was reported that over 100 Venezuelans of the Warrau tribe, including children who were living in the vicinity of Arpiaco, Upper Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), were escorted out of the region following reports of illegal occupation and alleged vandalism.
They reportedly arrived in the region via several canoes sometime last week, and settled in the Pomeroon area. However, while paddling up the Pomeroon River, they made stops and raided several farmlands in order to gather provisions and vegetables to prepare meals.
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva has said she was told of the incident, and rendered immediate assistance. She noted that a number of food hampers were distributed to the Venezuelans to cook and provide meals for their families. She also added that measures were put in place to ensure that the refugees remain spacious, owing to health concerns.
This follows events last November, whereby large number of Amerindians suspected to be migrants including children were found at Anabisi, Port Kaituma, Region One, North West District (NWD), and appeared to be malnourished and in poor health.
After reports of the discovery in sections of the media, the Office of the Prime Minister and several Government agencies had immediately responded with necessary emergency interventions. (G12)