LIMA, Peru — Millions of people are affected by crisis and conflict across the globe every day. These issues are currently affecting the South American country of Venezuela. Displacement, shortages and overcrowding are only some of the problems that have arisen because of the Venezuelan refugee crisis. With global issues unraveling daily, some are not fully aware of the magnitude of this issue. As a special envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie traveled to Peru, a country heavily affected by high volume refugee traffic, to spotlight the Venezuelan refugee crisis.
Venezuelan Refugee Crisis
The Venezuelan Refugee crisis has drawn bleak comparisons to the “worst man-made disaster since the Second World War”, or Syria’s refugee crisis. Venezuela’s exodus was caused by the country’s grossly shrunken economic conditions that left many without life essentials like food and medicine. This led to a drastic downfall in the country’s public health. According to the United Nations data, around 1.3 million of the Venezuelans who left the country were suffering from malnourishment.
Angelina Jolie’s Visit
Angelina Jolie spent three days in Peru and visited a refugee shelter in the capital city of Lima. The actress and humanitarian recalled the trip before the U.N. and said that it had become clear to her that the Venezuelan citizens did not want to leave but had no choice. Jolie also said that most of the refugees she spoke with were not looking for charity but rather a chance to help themselves.
Since her return to the United States, Jolie has spoken on numerous platforms and made several appearances calling on the world to step up amidst the Venezuelan refugee crisis. Jolie shared that in addition to visiting refugees in Lima she spoke with Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra. The pair discussed ways to further help those displaced by the crisis and how to gain international support. The actress and humanitarian also thanked Vizcarra for his openness and acceptance of Venezuelan refugees and his cooperation with these people that helped them gain citizenship so that they may start better lives.
Jolie has made it clear that economically strong and sound countries, such as the United States, must do more to help improve the conditions of the Venezuelan refugee crisis. Peru cannot continue to feed, medicate and house the refugees on their own or their own supplies will face shortages. Angelina Jolie has put a spotlight on Venezuelan crisis. People from all over the World can help improve the situation in the country in various ways. Some of them are presented in the text below.
Helping the Venezuelan Refugee Crisis
- People in the U.S. can call the representatives. Congressional offices tally every issue that people in their district call them about. It is common for state representatives to support bills or initiatives that are important to the people they represent. People can find their state leaders (2 senators and 1 representative) and ask them to support initiatives and proposed bills that would increase aid to the Venezuelan refugee crisis, such as the International Affairs Budget. It only takes about 30 seconds to do this and it can be done through this link.
- Support causes that provide aid to Venezuelans. Working with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has flown in nearly 130 tonnes of medicines, health and nutrition supplies for 350,000 women and children in Venezuela. The supplies are part of an agreement with the government to expand aid through technical cooperation and capacity building. UNICEF has also delivered 100 tons of nutritional supplies to the country including therapeutic food for the treatment of malnourishment and water purification tablets.
- Talk about the issue. As noted by the actress Angelina Jolie, issues are more likely to be resolved when they are talked about. If U.S. citizens continue to discuss the Venezuelan refugee crisis whether it be via social media or in direct letters to their representatives, the issue can become further spotlighted and could urge action from congressional leaders.
Angelina Jolie or any other individual cannot resolve Venezuelan refugee crisis by themselves. People of the United States and other industrialized nations must speak out against the conditions of Venezuelans (both those who remain in the country and refugees) to increase international support. Conditions will continue to improve with more funding for causes providing food and clean water to those affected by the exodus, as well as if more countries follow in the footsteps of Peru and offer refugees sanctuary.
– Haley Newlin
Photo: Flickr