Swollen rivers, mass crowding, add to risks at Venezuela borders

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Swollen rivers, mass crowding, add to risks at Venezuela borders

UNHCR News, 05 Apr 2019

URL: https://www.unhcr.org/5ca70ee74?utm_source=PR_COMMS&utm_medium=email&utm_content=here&utm_campaign=HQ_EN_BriefingNotes_171027
Despite Venezuela having officially closed its land borders with neighbouring Colombia and Brazil as of 23 February, thousands of people are still leaving the country daily.

Many are risking their lives in the process, either wading across torrential rivers or risking exploitation and abuse by armed groups controlling treacherous irregular paths.

UNHCR recognizes the efforts of Colombia and other Latin American countries in hosting millions of Venezuelans, and the commitment of the Colombian authorities to promote access to their territory, legal residence and other basic rights for them. In 2018, UNHCR supported the Government of Colombia’s administrative registration of over 440,000 Venezuelans.