Following a report in the last Sunday Stabroek about Venezuelan migrants living in poor conditions in Linden and tensions in the community, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd vowed yesterday to take decisive action in partnership with local authorities.
He spoke after this newspaper contacted him in relation to the plight of the Venezuelans.
On March 8th this year, Todd chaired a meeting of the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee to address the influx of migrants from Venezuela and said that the long-term objective was to integrate them into Guyanese society.
According to a statement from the ministry then, the Minister noted that the long-term objective is to integrate them into Guyanese society but in the meantime, the respective agencies are tasked with combining resources to provide services in key areas such as Healthcare, Education, Labour, Sanitation, Shelter, Food and Clothing for the most vulnerable.
Todd had urged the Committee to organize another outreach activity at the earliest possible opportunity which was to be undertaken in Region 1.
Concerns have peaked in Linden, particularly regarding the living conditions of newcomers who have set up makeshift camps throughout the town. One Linden resident recounted a harrowing encounter with a group of twenty Venezuelans seeking shelter in her yard. “I was kind to them initially, but the situation escalated quickly,” she said. “I’m scared of them. It just does not feel safe.”
These fears are compounded by reports of increased crime in the area. Locals are anxious about recent break-ins and the perception that desperate migrants may be resorting to theft. “The Venezuelans are hungry and desperate,” noted another resident.
The absence of local government support has left many feeling vulnerable. Residents report that Venezuelan children are not being enrolled in schools, and there is no visible effort from social services to assist the newcomers. “We already struggle to provide for ourselves,” one resident lamented. “How can we cope with more people?”
Mayor Sharma Solomon has called for urgent action, highlighting the lack of resources to manage the growing population. “We must strengthen our systems to deal with this crisis,” Solomon stated, adding “The government needs to recognize this as a serious issue.”
While some Venezuelans have found shelter and work at local sawmills, their presence has strained the job market. Locals argue that migrants are willing to work for lower wages, making it increasingly difficult for residents to compete for jobs. “The sawmills used to provide for us, but now the jobs are going to the Venezuelans,” a local worker lamented.
The situation remains delicate, as the plight of Venezuelan migrants seeking refuge from their homeland collides with the realities faced by Linden’s residents. Many Venezuelans express hope for a better future, but without government intervention, both communities face an uncertain path ahead.
During a meeting on September 26, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton and representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) discussed the urgent need for support systems for Venezuelan migrants. Hamilton pledged government commitment to partner with these organizations to tackle pressing migration issues, focusing on training, development, and integration.
