The Government of Guyana has resuscitated the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee for Addressing the Influx of Venezuelan Migrants into Guyana.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a release on Monday stated that the newly restored Committee met on Saturday and was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira. The Committee plans to focus on the Venezuelan migrant situation “through a coordinated effort between the Government and international partners.”
According to the release, representatives from various government ministries, agencies, and United Nations agencies applauded the resuscitation of the committee. Attendees examined means of strengthening its capacity through “coherent policies to prevent uncoordinated and duplicated activities.” Discussions also focused on irregular border crossings and the registration of migrants as well as outlined initiatives and ongoing projects to assist migrants.
Among those present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Director of the Bilateral Unit, Ambassador Michael Brotherson; and Director of the Legal Division, Kezia Campbell-Erskine; representing the Foreign affairs Ministry.
They were joined by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Coordinator and Chief of Mission Robert Natiello; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Liaison Officer, Cecilie Saenz Guerrero; United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Representative, Nicolas Pron; UNICEF Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Liaison Officer, Alder Bynoe; Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Consultant on Disaster Preparedness, Tamica Noel, and representatives from several government ministries, the Guyana Police Force, Regional Health Services, the Civil Defence Commission, and the Child Care and Protection Agency.
