Source: European Parliament
The Commission has taken note with regret of the announcement by the United States (US) Secretary of State that 83% of all United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistance programs will be terminated and acknowledges the significant humanitarian and development impact of such decision, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the presence of USAID has played a significant role in supporting vulnerable populations, including Venezuelan vulnerable refugees and migrants.
The EU has long been at the forefront of supporting global humanitarian and development efforts and has so far contributed to the organisation of four international conferences[1] in solidarity with Venezuelan vulnerable refugees and migrants and their host countries. The scale and complexity of the current global needs require a collective response.
While the Commission cannot replace the scale of assistance provided by the US, it remains committed to its engagement and continues to provide support to displaced Venezuelans in several host countries (including in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico) by contributing to socioeconomic integration, access to decent jobs and social protection systems.
The EU will continue delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in the region, in a principled manner and on the basis of humanitarian needs.
The Commission continues to call for an international response to the Venezuelan migration crisis, as it requires shared responsibility. While the US decision generates new challenges, the EU will continue working in a collective approach to uphold its commitments in Latin America and the Caribbean and beyond.
- [1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/latin-america-and-caribbean/venezuela/2023-international-conference-solidarity-venezuelan-refugees-and-migrants-and-their-host-countries_en