The Stream

What is the solution to the Venezuelan refugee crisis?

Since 2015 an estimated 1 million people have crossed the border into Colombia.

 

Latin-America is in the middle of a major refugee crisis as hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans flee their country, seeking economic and political stability.

The epicenter of the crisis is along the Colombian and Venezuelan border where roughly 35,000 Venezuelans cross into Colombia every day in search of work, food, or medicine. It’s believed that 3,000 to 5,000 people who make the daily sojourn, end up staying in Colombia or from there make their way to other countries.

The mass exodus is fueled in part by Venezuela’s collapsing economy, which analysts blame on soaring inflation caused by poor policy and government oversight.

Meanwhile, human rights activists worry the problem isn’t getting enough attention from international aid groups because organisations are busy with the Rohingya and Syrian refugee crises. 

So as Venezuelans continue to flee, how can the international community respond to the growing problem? 

 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Dany Bahar @dany_bahar

Economist & Fellow, Brookings Institution 

 

Fabiola Rondón Delgado

Attorney & Human Rights Activist 

 

Alessandro Rampietti @rampietti

Reporter, Al Jazeera English

 

Read more: 
Latin-America’s worst-ever refugee crisis: Venezuelans – The Washington Post
Venezuela’s refugee crisis: Views from the border – Brookings 
Sick Venezuelans flee to Colombia in mounting refugee crisis – The Associated Press 

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.