This Thursday, June 20, World Refugee Day is commemorated, which honors people who are outside their home country due to fear of persecution, conflict, and widespread violence. In Peru, almost 80,000 Venezuelans have been granted humanitarian residency permits until 2022, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report also indicates that nearly 225,000 temporary residencies were provided to migrants in irregular situations.
In Colombia, 1.6 million people from Venezuela have obtained temporary protection permits, while 2.5 million have completed pre-registrations. Despite efforts by countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, and others to regularize millions of Venezuelan migrants, many are still undocumented, preventing them from accessing job markets and social services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that only those who suffer persecution or high vulnerability can apply for refugee status. In cases of rejection, individuals can request a reevaluation through a reconsideration or appeal process. The recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the United Nations highlights that as of 2020, over a million Peruvians migrated to countries like the United States, Chile, Spain, Argentina, and Italy.
Peru has been a significant recipient of immigrants, particularly from Venezuela, the United States, China, Bolivia, and Argentina. The country also leads in the subcontinent with the highest number of asylum seekers, followed by Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica.
Moreover, a report from the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP) reveals that between January and June of 2023, 415,393 Peruvians left the country in search of better job opportunities and living conditions. Most of the migrants were of productive age, with more women (219,693) than men (195,700).
In an effort to support Venezuelan migrants in Peru, a project funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) will provide free services and assistance for document regularization, rights protection, and economic integration. The project, ‘Fair and Inclusive Socioeconomic Recovery for Venezuelan and Host Communities,’ will run for four years in three districts of Lima Norte: Los Olivos, Comas, and San Martin de Porres. Services will include psychological support, awareness against discrimination, general medicine, nutritional advice, and employment assistance.
This initiative aims to help migrants access necessary resources and services to integrate into Peruvian society successfully. It underscores the importance of supporting vulnerable populations and fostering inclusive communities for a better future for all.