Supplies needed for Venezuelan refugees – Region 1 Chairman

Venezuelan migrants who have taken up residency in the Region One (Barima-Waini) are in desperate need of food supplies.
Region One Chairman Brentol Ashley told Guyana Times that assistance is needed to support those who would have escaped the harsh conditions in their country.
“These persons are in need of food supplies in the varying areas and so we’re saddled with the responsibility of trying to find ways to provide food items for them,” said Ashley.
The Chairman could not give a definite number of persons that are in need of support, since a survey is currently in progress to tally the persons that are scattered in the various communities. “We’re right now carrying out a survey to ascertain the numbers that we have in the various communities that are currently accommodating them so I cannot be able to say a direct number because the numbers that are being provided over the last few weeks is seemingly inaccurate.”
He is certain that this will enable a better understanding of the number of individuals that should be catered for. Moreover, the types of persons will be determined.
“We would like to have a better understanding of how many Warrau Venezuelans we have and it’s also putting a challenge on us to find out how many Venezuelans of other ethnicities are here within the region.”
He noted that the supplies needed are any items that can be “cooked eventually”.
“Well, it’s food items that can be cooked eventually whether rice, flour [and] sugar. Those are mostly what we’re looking for.” The rainy season which is gradually stepping in will be of some effect to the migrants and the camps that were constructed for their stay and as such, concerns are mounting.
“We’re currently having rain now. We haven’t had reports from villages of flooding and so forth but of course it is going to be a factor that is going to affect the migrants because of the kind of makeshift camps that they have. We’re trying our best to see how they can remain dry and be looked after day after day”, the Chairman added.
It was reported that an initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry to send medical personnel at key areas so that the refugees can access basic healthcare facilities. This is done on a 24-hour basis.
Government had also established a multi-sectorial committee to coordinate the national response and assistance to the Venezuelans. Local public officers also underwent a one-day training workshop on the international best practices to prepare them in assisting migrants and protecting them from abuse and exploitation.