Govt wants GYD$4.8 million for relief to Venezuelan migrants

The Guyana government is seeking GYD$4.8 million to help support Venezuelans who have sought refuge here from the political and economic meltdown in their homeland. According to a financial paper tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday at the first session following the two-month annual parliamentary recess, the Ministry of Finance wants the money, equivalent to US$22,535, to provide relief supplies to Venezuelan migrants in Regions 1 (Barima-Waini), 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takatu). In his address to the Parliament at the commencement of the new session, President David Granger said the crisis in Venezuela has “created challenges for our small state and has led to an estimated 2,500 Venezuelan migrants seeking refuge, mainly in our frontier communities”, but he committed that Guyana would continue to assist them. More…