Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
Washington, D.C.
June 17, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Karina. On behalf of the United States, I would like to thank Canada, UNHCR, and IOM for convening this important conference. And I would also like to commend and thank all of the other donors who have participated today. I also commend the governments and citizens of the 17 countries throughout the region that generously host the majority of the more than 5.6 million Venezuelans who have been forced to flee Venezuela.
Today, I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to assist Venezuela, refugees and migrants, the host communities that support them, and the most vulnerable still in Venezuela who are facing a worsening, complex humanitarian crisis. I also reaffirm our commitment to addressing the crisis through a peaceful, political solution. The United States remains steadfast in our support to the Venezuelan people in their struggle for the restoration of democracy and rule of law.
On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I am proud to announce nearly $407 million in new humanitarian assistance for the response to the Venezuelan regional crisis, including inside Venezuela. This new funding will provide the Venezuelan people with a wide range of lifesaving and essential assistance, such as food, healthcare, safe drinking water, emergency shelter, access to legal and protection services, and livelihood opportunities. The United States will continue to provide support through our partners to assist Venezuelans with access to asylum and legal status.
In addition, we designated Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela in March, which is expected to benefit more than 300,000 individuals already in the United States who cannot safely return to Venezuela. And we will continue to work with the World Bank, and through the Global Concessional Financing Facility, to support countries like Colombia and Ecuador as they integrate refugees into their communities.
During a visit to Ecuador last month, I heard firsthand how our humanitarian assistance is providing critical services throughout the region and to support the local and successful integration of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Our humanitarian partners told us they need real, sustained, and continued support for Venezuelans – especially for survivors of gender-based violence, children and unaccompanied minors, and the LGBTQI+ persons.
I want to thank President Lasso of Ecuador for his continued public commitment to regularizing Venezuelans in Ecuador. And I also commend Colombia for granting a 10-year temporary protective status for Venezuelans. We encourage others to take similar steps to provide legal status and access to services for Venezuelans.
Finally, thank you so much to the other donors – again – represented here, especially those contributing for the first time. The United States looks forward to coordinating our efforts with all of you. Collectively, we can, and will, and must ensure the most comprehensive response possible.
Thank you very much.
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