Venezuela crisis
Eleangel and his family fled Venezuela for Ecuador in 2017. Now, his parents are struggling to keep him in school whilst covering other needs.
Last updated 5th January 2026
Photo: ©UNHCR/Jeoffrey Guillemard
Families like Eleangel’s have suffered years of hardship. Now they are far from home, struggling to survive. Please help provide the aid they urgently need.
Shelter
to protect those who’ve fled with nothing.
Nutrition
to keep hungry families alive and well.
Clean water
to prevent the spread of deadly diseases like cholera.
What’s happening in Venezuela?
Venezuela is in the midst of enduring political, economic and humanitarian crisis. More than 7.9 million people have left the country amidst violence and crippling food shortages – making it the biggest exodus in South America’s recent history.
UNHCR and partners are helping to protect Venezuelans forced to flee, respond to their humanitarian needs and promote their socioeconomic inclusion within host countries.
Despite the challenging economic and political climate, significant numbers of Venezuelans have continued to spontaneously return to their country. UNHCR is on the ground monitoring returns and providing legal aid, counselling and lifesaving assistance.
Where are Venezuelan families fleeing to?
The majority of Venezuelan people – more than 6.7 million people – are hosted in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Families are travelling primarily to Colombia, but also to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and beyond. These host countries have been welcoming, but they are increasingly overstretched and facing challenges.
Colombia alone generously hosts around 2.8 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela – they join the many internally displaced Colombians spread across the country, often in hard-to-reach areas.
What dangers do people face en route?
Fleeing families often take irregular routes to find safety, crossing fast-flowing rivers or braving treacherous footpaths to reach their destinations. Venezuelans are often forced to cross through Panama’s Darien jungle, also referred to as the Darien Gap, which is one of the world’s most dangerous refugee and migrant routes, consisting of 5,000 square-kilometres of difficult terrain such as tropical wilderness and steep mountains. Crossings are also known to take up to 10 days or more for the most vulnerable.
Both in the Darien jungle and on other routes, many fall prey to smugglers, traffickers and armed groups on the way, and unaccompanied or separated children are particularly vulnerable.
How have the funding cuts affected UNHCR's work in Venezuela?
Budget cuts have forced UNHCR to close Field Offices in Ciudad Guayana, Guasdualito and Puerto Ayacucho – border areas with Colombia. Resources were reprioritised towards other borders, with new Field Units opening in Santa Elena de Uairén (bordering Brazil) and Carúpano (near Trinidad and Tobago).
These cuts will diminish the scope of UNHCR’s activities within the country. Despite these challenges, UNHCR and partners provided protection services to almost 600,000 people in Venezuela throughout 2024 alone.
Where is UNHCR working?
UNHCR is on the ground across the region and has a strong presence around key border crossing points – protecting fleeing families from danger and providing the essentials they need to survive.
As well as providing lifesaving aid and safe shelter, UNHCR teams also provide legal support, such as informing families of their right to seek asylum.
To help promote the integration of refugees in their host communities, UNHCR assists with vocational training for Venezuelans.
UNHCR’s efforts in Venezuela were only 16% funded in 2025. Without adequate funding, access to essential services will be severely constrained. We urgently need your support.
Where can I access the latest data?
Venezuela Situation Portal – for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in Venezuelan refugees.
Venezuela Operations – for latest updates on UNHCR’s work in Venezuela.
Did you know that one in four Venezuelans, over 7 million people, need humanitarian assistance?
Brother and sister Getsemaní and Gadiel have known hunger and hardship for much of their young lives.
They arrived in Ecuador from Venezuela with their family searching for a fresh start. Adjusting to a new country was challenging, especially as they faced xenophobia.
However, joining a local sports programme, assisted by UNHCR’s ‘Sports for Protection’ strategy, transformed their journey. Through training sessions and games, they began to build friendships and reconnect with their community.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Matías Vaca