United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2021
Readout of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Roundtable Discussion on Migration with UN and NGO Partners
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield participated in a roundtable discussion on Venezuelan refugees and migration today in Ecuador with representatives from UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNICEF, HIAS, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Dialogo Diverso, and Desarrollo y Autogestion. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed her deep appreciation for the crucial work these organizations are doing in Ecuador to respond to the needs of refugees and migrants. They discussed the ongoing humanitarian response underway to support Venezuelan refugees and migrants, including the importance of regularization and integration and how the international community can support efforts to facilitate the long-term integration of refugees. The organizations also updated Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on current challenges related to supporting unaccompanied children and LGTBQI refugees, addressing food insecurity, and combating gender-based violence, sexual violence, and trafficking. The group also discussed Colombian refugees and other vulnerable people. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield praised Ecuador’s role in responding to the needs of refugees and migrants, highlighted U.S. humanitarian assistance to support these efforts, and pledged to continue to champion humanitarian and refugee issues in the United States, at the UN, and around the globe.
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