Minister Sajjan to co-host International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

March 15, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced today that he will travel to Brussels, Belgium on March 16–17, 2023, to attend the International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities, co-hosted by Canada and the European Union.

The Conference will benefit from collaboration with the co-leads of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) platform, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Key objectives during the Conference will be to increase the visibility of the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis, demonstrate international solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as the countries and communities hosting them, and to highlight the response efforts of affected countries, donors and implementing partners.

Quotes

“Refugees and migrants from Venezuela continue to flee their country despite the challenges they face on their journey onwards. It is important to show them and their host communities continued support towards comprehensive solutions and better tomorrow for all. I look forward to working with my counterparts and partners working in the region over the coming days to discuss how we can continue to work together to effectively address these shared priorities.”

- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

Quick facts

  • The outflow of refugees and migrants from Venezuela is the second-largest displacement of citizens globally. Nearly 7.2 million Venezuelans have left their country in search of safety and stability in recent years. The vast majority, over 6 million, are living in countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

  • Since 2019, Canada has provided over $180 million in humanitarian, development and stabilization assistance to support those affected by the Venezuela crisis, both inside Venezuela and across the region, in addition to ongoing bilateral development assistance in Colombia and Peru. 

  • Canada is a leader on mobilizing support for this crisis. In June 2021, Canada’s Minister of International Development hosted the 2021 International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, raising US$2.35 billion in pledges (grants and loans).

  • In response to the crisis, Canada pledged CAD$115.4 million over two years, which included $58.5 million over two years in new Budget 2021 international assistance funds.

Associated links

Contacts

Haley Hodgson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Haley.Hodgson@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca

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