Humanitarian Action

Venezuelan Voices

Alexandra and her mother Claudia arrived in Ecuador in 2017 with nothing. “You leave your country with nothing, a bag and a sweater,” Claudia said. “I was a professional in Venezuela; a public accountant. I had a car and a house. I left my whole family there. I miss my mother most.”

More than 2 million people have fled the once-prosperous Venezuela to go to other Latin American countries due to a political and economic crisis that has resulted in record inflation and severe food and medicine shortages. About 250,000 Venezuelans are staying in Ecuador. Unlike other massive migration crises in the world, most Venezuelans in Ecuador are not living in tent camps but are spread across towns and cities, in some cases sharing small rooms with others to afford rent. In partnership with host country governments and international organizations, USAID has provided more than $46 million in humanitarian assistance to meet the most urgent needs of people affected by the crisis in Venezuela.

Danny and his 18 years old pregnant partner, Luzmila, share a room with seven other Venezuelans. To make matters worse, Danny was recently hit by a car, breaking several fingers and injuring his shoulder. The couple uses World Food Programme food vouchers and training to identify and prepare nourishing food and ensure they’re getting the right nutrients.

As Venezuelans continue to flee deteriorating conditions at home, USAID continues to support host governments in the region and international humanitarian organizations to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those who need it the most.

Excerpted from: USAID Publications