Over six million Venezuelans have fled Venezuela, seeking stability, security, and economic opportunities throughout South America. This exodus represents one of the largest external displacement crises in the world, posing urgent challenges for the migrant communities and their host countries.

The rapid and continued influx of Venezuelan migrants has strained the host country's capacity to absorb such an unprecedented and large influx of people. Migrants and refugees need legal protections, social support, and economic opportunities to integrate and thrive in their host countries. Migrant women continue to face sexual exploitation and abuse, and are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), discrimination, and xenophobia. 

To face these challenges, USAID is committed to supporting the socio-economic integration process as a long-term development goal.

GOALS

USAID seeks to improve the socio-economic integration of migrants and refugees in Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. This is accomplished through a mix of activities which are  focused on enabling migrants and refugees to secure a sustainable livelihood in their host country.

Major lines of activity include: legal status pathways; improved access to financial services; opportunities to access the labor market through training, degree validation, job placement support and outreach to the private sector; and, training and support for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Primary measures of success include increased incomes, secure and decent employment opportunities, legal status, financial inclusion, and social cohesion.

Paramount to USAID’s objectives is that sustainable socio-economic integration requires holistic support that recognizes that equitable access to legal status, employment, education, and health services are fundamental rights and necessary for sustained integration in host countries.