COVID-19 and Venezuelan Refugees

Abstract

As populations around the world adjust to a new reality shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, across Latin America an estimated 113 million people living in low-income neighbourhoods are struggling to make ends meet with the ongoing lockdown and social isolation procedures (Phillips et al., 2020). In addition to the looming threat of infection, more impoverished populations must contend with the day-to-day struggle of trying to stay afloat financially and the actual feasibility of practising social distancing. Among the most vulnerable populations are refugees and migrants, who are exposed to even more significant hardships as governments attempt to navigate the pandemic (UNHCR, 2020). The already precarious financial situations and housing of most refugees have worsened as host countries make efforts to provide supports and programs for their populations – initiatives which do not necessarily take into account the situations of most refugees. For Venezuelan refugees in particular, the threat to their safety, security, and futures has been further compounded in the course of the pandemic.