The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and several NGOs lavished praise on Guyana for its welcoming stance towards refugees at a panel discussion hosted on World Refugee Day under the theme ‘Building Bridges Beyond Borders: Inclusion and Acceptance,’ in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus last week.
Testimonials from experts deeply entrenched in refugee affairs highlighted how Guyanese communities have progressively embraced and integrated displaced populations, a transformation attributed to educational initiatives and heightened awareness of global crises.
Head of the UNHCR National Office Adriana Negry, during an interview with Stabroek News, expressed appreciation for Guyana’s strides in integrating Venezuelans and forcibly displaced persons, particularly in education and healthcare. Acknow-ledging ongoing challenges such as employment access and language barriers, Negry noted collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Education to address these issues, aiming for broader community integration.
During the panel discussion, representatives from HIAS, UNHCR, and the Least of These Foundation responded positively to questions about Guyanese attitudes towards refugees. Each organization highlighted the growing empathy and acceptance among Guyanese communities, emphasizing significant strides in welcoming displaced populations.
Economic Inclusion Specialist at HIAS Guyana Lyn Morales credited education for transforming initial skepticism into acceptance. Morales highlighted a significant increase in Guyanese acceptance, from below 50% to approximately 70% in recent years, attributing this shift to heightened awareness and understanding of global crises.
Founder of Least of These Foundation Sharon James echoed Morales’s sentiments, emphasizing Guyana’s welcoming spirit towards migrant children. James described Guyanese communities as supportive and compassionate, noting efforts to facilitate refugee children’s enrolment in schools and to integrate them into local life with the help of bilingual support.
Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR Guyana Jenel Greene acknowledged the challenges posed by hosting a diverse population in a country like Guyana, but praised the nation’s adaptability and commitment to inclusive policies. Greene highlighted Guyana’s proactive approach in providing education and healthcare access to both displaced populations and their host communities, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and understanding.
