nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
b )  Access to psychosocial support In terms of mental health and psychosocial support, there are limited options available to Venezuelans arriving in Guyana. The Mental Health Department of the Ministry of Health in Georgetown was established three years ago. According to the Head of the Department, services are being provided to mainly Guyanese, including those returning from Venezuela. The main types of cases identified in adults in the regions are depression, psychosis, dementia, epilepsy, substance abuse, stress related disorders while children/adolescents present with mild disorders. One of the challenges is that most of the staff working in the health facilities speak only English. However, some Guyanese doctors that studied in Cuba or Cuban doctors working in Guyana are able to assist some of the Venezuelans in Georgetown. In terms of psychologists and psychiatrists, there are also limitations in the language with very few psychologists in Georgetown that speak Spanish. In 2018, in collaboration with World Health Organization  ( WHO ) , training on psychosocial support was provided to more than 300 staff, doctors, nurses and social workers. Some of them were from Mabaruma in Region 1 and speak English and Amerindian languages fluently; however, none of them are fluent in Spanish. As for Region 7, there is no personnel trained on psychosocial support. In Port Kaituma, the hospital does not provide any kind of mental health and psychosocial support services.
c )  Coping mechanisms During the FGDs, both Venezuelan women and men mentioned that it is difficult to cope with the situation of being away from their countries and families, and being jobless or being exploited or having to perform sexual services to have an income to provide for themselves and their families. Some of them accepted consuming drugs  ( marijuana and ecstasy )  and alcohol, in particular young women who are working in bars and are engaged in survival sex. According to them, consuming drugs helps cope with the situation they are in and with the difficulties they regularly face when providing sexual services. In some cases, the owners of the bars give them drugs to consume. Some others have regular conversations with close friends in Guyana and their families in Venezuela.
A significant number of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese have their families still in Venezuela, therefore many of them regularly travel back and forth between the two countries  ( pendular movement )  or send medicines, food and other supplies with acquaintances or friends. Among the Venezuelans entering Guyana, members of the Warao indigenous community have been identified, some of which have been forced to leave their country and are settling with their families in Guyana seeking protection.
The Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Citizenship is registering and processing arrivals at official ports of entry, however, their capacity to respond to the influx of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese is challenged by limited resources. As a result, official statistics do not reflect the actual number of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese.
Even absent an intervention, the complex and violent dynamics among the groups sparring to control Venezuela's mineral wealth are already pushing armed actors over the border into this small Caribbean state with only 3,500 men under arms.
There are more than 36,000 Venezuelans in Guyana, a country of 780,000. Some are refugees who have come themselves; others are victims of human trafficking.
IX. Communication Throughout the assessment, the need was identified to have a strategy on information, education and communication  ( IEC )  and strengthen the various mechanisms in place for dissemination of life saving GBV messages. Venezuelans who participated in the FGDs mentioned the need to have information about GBV and the services available to them in Spanish. It is equally important to work on mechanisms for the dissemination of life saving GBV information to the Warao indigenous community. From the assessment, target groups identified word of mouth, social media platforms, such as Facebook  ( is also used to access or circulate information, for example most visited pages are “Support for Displaced Persons', “Venezolanos en Guyana' and “Venezolanos Luchadores' )  as the most frequently used method of information sharing among the Venezuelan community. WhatsApp is another commonly used tool for sharing and receiving information, including searches for employment opportunities.
There have been 9,885 official migrant entries  ( 30 per cent children )  from April 2018  August 2019, although this number is generally agreed to be lower than the actual numbers currently in Guyana, and latest estimates, generated through the RMRP 2020 planning process indicate a figure closer to 40,000. The open door policy, where migrants receive a 90 day entry visa when presenting themselves to immigration authorities or are reached by the immigration department mobile registration teams, continues and there are no reports of any deportations of migrants who have overstay their visas.
Through the UNICEF supported Training of Trainers Course on Infant and Young Child Feeding Counselling  ( IYCF ) , 10 members of the staff of Ministry of Public Health  ( MoPH ) , specifically from the Food Policy Division and PMTCT unit, were trained as Trainers of Trainers. The 10 members trained 48 counsellors from the Regional Health Departments impacted by the migration crisis, who started IYCF outreach support for caregivers of 2,530 children between 0 24 months. The integrated course targets health workers in primary health care services and lay counsellors in the basics of infant and young child feeding. Key areas covered include counselling skills, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, HIV and infant feeding, among others. These interventions focus on promoting and supporting IYCF activities, including feeding in emergency situations.
During August a total of seven UNICEF supported ECD sessions were undertaken by the trained facilitators in Region 1 and 9 host communities engaging 75 children  ( 32 girls, 43 boys )  in interactive learning sessions in ECD stimulation and WASH. Through the Catholic Community, UNICEF supported English Language classes for 57 children and 12 adult's Venezuelan migrants during the school holidays.
Guyana has an open door policy to Venezuelans giving a 90 day legal stay permit upon registering with the Department of Immigration, with the possibility of extension for a similar period of time. Most of the Venezuelans use their passports, identity cards or birth certificates to enter in Guyana and to apply for the temporary legal stay permit.
During the interagency rapid GBV assessment, information was collected on serious GBV risks such as survival sex, human trafficking, harassment and sexual violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, labor exploitation and discrimination. The language barrier as well as the lack of a legal status in the country are circumstances that particularly put Venezuelan women and girls in a situation of vulnerability. Efforts by authorities in Guyana to combat and prevent different forms of GBV long pre date the influx of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese, however, national capacities and resources are limited.
“Guyana is a source and a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor.' The report mentions that women and children from various countries in the region, including Venezuela, are subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities in the interior and urban areas. In addition to this, the report mentions that “limited government presence in the country's interior renders the full extent of trafficking unknown'
This preexisted the situation in Venezuela; however the growing numbers of Venezuelans leaving their country and trying to find an income to provide for their families is dramatically feeding smuggling and trafficking in persons networks, labor and sexual exploitation and violence mainly against women and girls. From focus group discussions  ( FGD )  conducted in November 2018 by UNFPA and UNHCR with Venezuelan women in Georgetown, serious security risks, GBV incidents and barriers to access to services were identified. Trafficking in persons, sexual violence, exploitation, harassment, and domestic violence are the most common types of violence faced by Venezuelan women in Guyana, and GBV incidents usually go unreported.
articipants, both Venezuelans and Guyanese, mentioned that the main reasons to leave Venezuela were the economic crisis in the country, the scarcity of food and medicines, the limited accessibility and availability of medical treatments for chronic diseases, insecurity, corruption, individual threats, kidnapping, extortion, robberies, among others. A significant pull factor to come to Guyana was the comparative ease of entry into the country in terms of immigration requirements, and the proximity to their places of origin so transportation costs are usually lower than to other countries in the region, such as Brazil or Colombia. Some of them chose Guyana due to the proximity to Venezuela to send goods or medicines to their families.
Most participants had travelled by boat from Venezuela to Charity town, received vaccinations, were taken to the immigration office to obtain a 90 day stay permit and later travelled to Georgetown. Others travelled from Charity to Parika where some of them submitted their passports or identity cards to Immigration authorities to obtain the same stay permit and later moved to Georgetown. Some others entered through San Martin de Turumbán which is the riskiest route due to the presence of armed groups on Venezuelan side and, reported irregularities at the immigration post on Guyana side. Some travelled by boat to Port Kaituma or Mabaruma in Region 1, and some took the boats transporting gasoline to Region 1 as this was free of charge; however, the route is dangerous due to the presence of pirates on both sides of the border. The safest route, but most expensive, according to the participants in the FGDs is the one through Brazil and arriving in Lethem in Guyana. Warao indigenous community members from Venezuela usually travel by canoe with their families and arrive particularly in Mabaruma and other surrounding areas in Region 1.
a )  Survival sex As per the accounts shared by participants and key informants, the main concentration of Venezuelan women in the country is around the mining areas. In these locations, Venezuelan women are working in shops, cleaning services, bars, hotels, and nightclubs. In Georgetown, Venezuelan women mentioned on several occasions that some of the main barriers for them to have access to formal economic opportunities were the language and lack of professional references in Guyana. Therefore, most of the Venezuelan women and even the Guyanese returnees end up working in places where they are most likely to be exploited, verbally and physically abused by either their employers or co  workers. Some Venezuelan women end up working in bars and having sex with clients in exchange for money. This situation extends to region 7 and 1, where many women resort to survival sex, not because they want to, but because there is no other option to help their families in Venezuela. As one participant stated: “No woman wants to do sex work, we do it because we are forced to and we have no other option'. In Port Kaituma, women shared that they started working in sex work after arriving to this town and facing difficulties communicating in Spanish and finding a well paid job that could allow them to cover their living expenses and to send money or goods to their families in Venezuela who depend on them. Many stated that they were professionals in their country and had a decent life in Venezuela and that their families do not know what they are doing in Guyana.
c )  Harassment and sexual violence During the GBV rapid assessment, information on some incidents of harassment and sexual violence against Venezuelan women allegedly committed by Guyanese taxi drivers were also shared, however these incidents have not been reported to the police for fear of retaliation. In terms of security on the streets, Venezuelan women in various locations complained about insecurity, offensive words, harassment, and in some cases sexual violence. Some mentioned that they feel unsafe walking by themselves at night, particularly in places like Mabaruma where the electricity is shut down daily at 23:00. As a protective measure, Venezuelan women walk with relatives or friends. It was also mentioned in various FGDs that it is very common in Guyanese bars for drinks to be “spiked'. In a FGD in Bartica with Venezuelan men, it was mentioned that they have not experienced any form of GBV, nor have their female family members. However, Venezuelan men are aware that many Venezuelan women and girls are engaged in sex work and are often taken to the mines for long periods. From stories they have heard, many believe that adult women are more at risk when asking for directions or acquiring information, which often lead to sexual violence. In a FGD with Venezuelan women in the same location, it was mentioned that some Venezuelan women who go to the mines to engage in survival sex have been sexually exploited, beaten up and/or raped by their clients and some have disappeared or been killed. The majority of the women agreed that working in the mines was highly dangerous; however, they can make a good amount of money. Incidents that happen in the mines go usually unreported. As a safety measure, most of the Venezuelan women providing sexual services try to protect and support each other by being in regular communication with each other, particularly when they go to work in the mining area.
e )  Sexual exploitation and abuse Incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse allegedly were reported during the FGDs as well as the barriers to reporting these cases. An urgent need for strengthening complaint and feedback mechanisms in the country as well as training sessions on protection against sexual exploitation and abuse for front line workers, including police, military and immigration officials was identified.
f )  Labor exploitation Economic activity in the country is limited and the influx of Venezuelans is adding stress to the system. Venezuelan women and men are looking for work and are willing to work for much less than the Guyanese. They are constantly exposed to labor exploitation such as long working hours, low or unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, no rest or holiday, verbal or physical abuse and sexual harassment. The lack of formal economic opportunities is forcing the Venezuelans, particularly women, to turn to sex work. Many of them go to Port Kaituma, Bartica, some even to the mining areas, as there is more opportunity to earn more money. In regard to Venezuelan men, most of them continue to seek regular employment but are usually limited to unstable and exploitative options. No information was shared on Venezuelan men turning to sex work in exchange for money.
a )  Access to documentation and regularization Venezuelan and returning Guyanese women are generally traveling with their identification card  ( ID ) . Very few Venezuelans possess passports and some arrive with only a copy of their ID or birth certificate. According to immigration officials in Bartica town, Venezuelan parents of children born in Guyana are assisted by immigration authorities with the birth registration act or the issuance of birth certificates and passports for the children once requested. However, there were some reports of Venezuelan couples who could not register the birth of their newborn due to lack of civil documentation, exposing the newborn to become de facto stateless. Most of the participants in the FGDs indicated that they did not face any problems at the immigration office nor were they asked to pay any money for the 90 day stay permit. However, some of them reported communication challenges with immigration authorities due to the fact that they did not speak English and had to rely on someone to translate for them. Currently, immigration officers are being taught Spanish to improve their ability to communicate with the Venezuelans. The immigration office mentioned that approximately 52 Venezuelans have been assisted this year with 90 day temporary stay permits one of which was granted for a period of 1 year  ( not verified ) . Currently stay permit request forms are being processed in Bartica and not taken by the immigration authorities to Georgetown for processing. This is a new measure introduced by the Government in 2019 which helps Venezuelans to have their permits renewed, considering that not all of them have the means to travel to Georgetown every three months to do the process. It is important to highlight that the stay permit does not entitle Venezuelans to legally work in the country; a work permit is still required by the national law. Those that do not possess a work permit are most likely to end up in situations of sexual and labor exploitation. Some Warao indigenous community members possess identification cards and were able to apply for a 90 day stay permit with the immigration authorities in Guyana. However, some of them do not have any identification cards and have not applied for a temporary stay permit.
They are using the same dark waters for drinking, cooking and bathing.
For 2020, partners identified the need to improve sub regional coordination, reporting and communication strategies. Another priority area includes the development of gender based violence interventions. Respondents also suggested the inclusion of the Pan American Development Foundation and HIAS in the Platform.
In August, partners organized a regional course in Costa Rica on International Refugee Law and Statelessness, which was attended by 19 officials from various Caribbean countries, including Aruba, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The training provided an opportunity for States to exchange good practices on refugee protection and statelessness.
Similarly, in Guyana, the registration process continued, with 9,356 refugees and migrants registered and with the possibility of receiving a renewable 3 month stay permit.
Access to drinking water is among the top challenges as well as some of the population's limited knowledge of some hygiene and sanitation practices, including food decontamination and use of some essential WASH items.
In the area of food and nutrition, partners in the Caribbean  ( Guyana, Aruba, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago )  reached approximately 1,300 refugees and migrants from Venezuela with basic food and/or water. Temporary accommodation was also provided to 96 vulnerable refugees and migrants in Curacao, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
While in Guyana, trainings were provided to medical staff  ( 41 )  in Malaria case management and treatment.
Guyana currently hosts migrants from a variety of different countries of origin, including South Africa, Cuba, Haiti, Pakistan and Venezuela. Due to the economic and health crisis in neighbouring Venezuela, the number of Venezuelan migrants in Guyana has seen a particularly significant increase in recent years. An estimated 36,400 Venezuelans reside in the country, over 9,000 of whom have registered for asylum to date.
The Guyanese government has relaxed entry requirements for Venezuelans, allowing them to apply for a three month residence permit at border entry points by presenting identity cards. Additionally, persons can be processed and request documents from Guyana provided they can prove relations to persons in Guyana. The Guyanese Government participated in the IV International Technical Meeting of the Quito Process, which took place in Buenos Aires on 4 and 5 July, and signed both the Quito IV Declaration and Roadmap that were adopted during the meeting. The Quito Process aims to harmonize policies and practices of countries in the region, coordinate the humanitarian response and improve the enjoyment of the rights of refugees and migrants from Venezuela.
A majority enter outside of established border crossings, through the country's porous borders in Regions 1 and 7 alongside Venezuela or through Region 9 along the border with Brazil. The situation in remote border regions is very different from the situation in the capital city, Georgetown. Human trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation purposes is particularly prevalent in border regions and has more recently increased in the capital city.
While Caribbean countries have granted regular status through stay and work permits, some have introduced restrictions for Venezuelans to access the respective territories, resulting in limited options for Venezuelans to benefit from a regular status. As a result, many Venezuelans enter irregularly in the Caribbean countries, often risking their lives through dangerous boat journeys and being exposed to risks of human trafficking and/or smuggling. Access to asylum also remains limited and instances of detention, deportation or non admission, without access to an asylum procedure, were reported across the sub region.
Limited availability of resources in these areas also affects access to sufficient food and nutrition, safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities, which are among the most pressing gaps reported in Guyana and are equally affecting host communities. This is compounded by restrictions in place that prevent refugees and migrants located in the border areas from traveling into the more populated coastal regions, where there are better services and opportunities for accessing income generating activities.
Instances of deportation or non admission, without access to an asylum procedure or a protection screening were reported across the Caribbean sub region with the exception of Guyana, and detention of refugees and migrants from Venezuela, including asylum seekers, frequently for long period without judicial review also remains a concern, with partners in the sub region having limited or no access to immigration detention facilities
Access to safe shelter and adequate housing is another widespread need in Guyana, whereas in other Caribbean countries some challenges remain due to limited availability of emergency shelters, the high cost of renting, and administrative barriers that prevent refugees and migrants from concluding lease agreements. This particularly affects persons with specific needs, such as survivors of GBV and victims of human trafficking, among others.
Lack of awareness on healthy nutritional habits and lack of access to nutrient dense food in areas of displacement result in many refugees and migrants from Venezuela suffering from malnutrition. This particularly affects children and pregnant women.
Most of the refugees and migrants from Venezuela arrived in the Caribbean with no or limited assets. As their access to livelihoods opportunities in host countries is limited, many do not have the resources to buy essential relief items. In some remote regions, such as some border areas in Guyana, availability of essential non food items is also limited.
The Cuyuní is one of three major migration routes from Venezuela into Guyana. From San Martin de Turumbán, the Venezuelan town nearest to Etheringbang, migrants and refugees cross the river, which demarcates the border for a 100km stretch before curving inland. They can reach Guyanese cities after three days by boat.
The second route goes through Brazil, traversing Roraima state and its capital Boa Vista, and entering Guyana through a village called Lethem. A bus then takes the migrants and refugees on an eighteen hour drive through the jungle to Georgetown.
Guyanese media warn of corrupt police officers “shaking down' foreigners on this route and demanding cash or gold payments at checkpoints. I ask a local NGO employee working with refugees if the shakedowns are frequent. “It is the rule', she answers. A representative of the International Organization of Migration confirms that extortion is common at checkpoints.
The third means of entry is by sea. In one of the places where the boats arrive, the town of Mabaruma near the border, hundreds of Venezuelan refugees sleep on the streets, as the Guyanese police have barred them from travelling further. Since a ferry bearing some 140 Venezuelans arrived in Georgetown in May 2019, the authorities have tried to halt the influx of migrants into the capital.
On any given day, Etheringbang itself hosts over 500 people who mostly do not live in town, according to a local doctor's estimate. Most of them are Venezuelans, of whom many are female sex workers. The other temporary residents come to town to rest, buy supplies or look for entertainment after weeks or even months of hard labour in the mining pits scattered nearby.
“Survival sex' is the term that local sex workers give their occupation. Each client used to pay her about one gram of gold, but because of the fuel shortages clients now tend to pay 0.5g or less. “It barely covers room and board', Juliette complains. She is three days late with her rent, and may be unable to send money home to her kids.
)  Access to livelihoods Venezuelans reported in the FGDs and KII that they work more hours and receive less salaries than the Guyanese. Some returning Guyanese complained about the labor conditions they have encountered since their return from Venezuela. According to them, they work more than 8 hours, are not allowed to take any breaks, and are paid G$1,050  ( 5USD )  per day. In Port Kaituma and Mabaruma some Venezuelan women are living with their families and work in shops or were looking for a job. Some women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace by their employers. They touch them, say obscene things to them and ask for sexual favors. Some try to find another job elsewhere. One of the Venezuelan participants working in a shop mentioned that she asked her employer to increase the daily wages, instead, the employer asked for sexual favors. She then had to find another job. The fact that most Venezuelans speak only Spanish and lack professional references in Guyana combined with the fact that their qualifications may not be recognized has been a barrier for them to finding decent work and reporting any incidents to the local police. Therefore, many Venezuelans and even Guyanese returnees end up working in places where they are more likely to be exploited or verbally and physically abused by employers or co workers. In general, participants in the FGD mentioned that the cost of living in Guyana is very high compared to the minimum wage, for example the minimum wage is G$42,022  ( 200 US dollars )  and the cost of rent/month is around G$63,033  ( 300 US dollars ) . At least 3 out of 5 men in Bartica were self employed or worked at a restaurant or in a mine. Many are underpaid or work minimum hours per week so their salaries are insufficient to maintain themselves while in Bartica, thus making it impossible to maintain their families in Venezuela. In Mabaruma, Venezuelan men are also taken to the mines to work there; however, they said that they are being exploited; working many hours and getting paid less than the offer received or sometimes they are not even paid for their hard work. They are also told that they need to stay one month and half in the mines before they can leave. According to them, Venezuelans are not aware of their labor rights and do not know where to seek assistance. This is causing a lot of distress to the Venezuelans. Another issue mentioned was not being allowed to have access to bank accounts from local banks. As a result, instead of saving towards a better future, men are forced to spend more with the intention of future resale or save in unsecure locations. Venezuelan men expressed their interest in obtaining residence permits in order to be able to access formal economic activities and avoid being exploited at work. They would also like to obtain certification in desired courses.
For the first time, two Caribbean countries adhered to the Quito Process. The Governments of Guyana and the Dominican Republic participated in the IV International Technical Meeting of the Quito Process, which took place in Buenos Aires on 4 and 5 July, and signed both the Quito IV Declaration and Roadmap that were adopted during the meeting. The Quito Process aims to harmonize policies and practices of countries in the region, coordinate the humanitarian response and improve the enjoyment of the rights of refugees and migrants from Venezuela
The Government of Guyana continued to register Venezuelans, granting renewable three month stay permits upon registration. To date, 9,356 Venezuelans have been registered. The Government acknowledges that they are not capturing all arrivals at the main entry points nor reaching the population in all regions, such as Region 8, a mining area. The Government is confident that with the implementation of the new biometric registration system, which they are expecting to roll out in the upcoming months, more accurate data collection will be achieved. Internal movements of Venezuelans from border areas to the capital city of Georgetown continued to be limited to those who have verified family members there.
With the support of R4V Partners, national health authorities in Guyana vaccinated 1,577 Venezuelans and returning Guyanese for yellow fever, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella. In June, Government authorities and R4V partners also conducted a health assessment mission to Kaikhan, a remote border community of Region 7, which can only be reached on foot and by boat. Among the gaps identified, which will be addressed by the partners in the upcoming months, are the urgent need of a refrigerator to store vaccines for the local health clinic and the necessity to train medical staff on collection of health data. Other emergency needs include food and basic services. A similar mission was organized in Region 8 in July.
Additionally, the Government of Guyana through the multi agency National Committee for the Venezuelan Response, and with the support of the R4V national platform, organised a joint assessment mission  ( 15 17 July )  to Lethem, in Region 9, where over 100 Venezuelans have settled since early 2019 after transiting through Brazil. Venezuelans are in need of shelter, food, NFIs  ( particularly mosquito nets, solar flashlights, and hygiene and baby kits ) , access to health services and livelihood opportunities. A response plan is being designed by the government and R4V partners.
In Guyana, Venezuelan children are experiencing challenges related to language barriers. Following a needs assessment on English as a Second Language  ( ESL )  conducted by partners in Region 1 in March April 2019, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, partners identified three key activities to be implemented in the upcoming months: an ESL summer school for both Guyanese and Venezuelan children in three communities, ESL training for teachers, as well as after school activities for children in support for social cohesion.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health of Guyana, partners trained 41 medical staff on malaria case management and treatment. Additionally, 21 community health workers  ( CHW )  finalized their training and will be deployed to communities in Region 1 with a high influx of Venezuelans.
With the 19 June Caribbean Court of Justice  ( CCJ )  ruling that the no confidence motion brought against the David Granger led APNU+AFC administration was validly passed in December 2018, there exists a lack of consensus with the main opposition party on the way forward. With the resignation of the head of the national elections commission GECOM on 25 June, there is a lack of clarity as to timelines for organizing and conducting national elections and as to status of parliament and the legislative authority of the administration. Against this backdrop, UNICEF though is able to continue migrant response activities through both government and NGO partners at this time
Through UNICEF's implementing partner, the Roman Catholic Bishop in Guyana, the “Transitioning to Normalcy through Culturally Appropriate Early Childhood and Adolescent Friendly Interactive Interventions' project has from March to June reached 108 migrant families in Regions 1, 2 and 7. Forty children between the ages of 0 to 3 years  ( 50:50 boys/ girls )  have benefitted from ECD outreach assistance including basic nutrition guidance for their care givers. With the first phase of the project drawing to a close, a further round of distribution for identified NFI needs including WASH items and bed nets is under way during July.
Hygiene promotion and distribution of water filters and jerry cans for a total of 4,540 people  ( 50:50 male/female )  of which 1,106 are migrants  ( 442 are children )  continues through community consultations that include collaboration from the Region based Environmental Health Department. In one host community primary school the project constructed a duplex VIP latrine to provide an additional facility for the 60 students and 2 teachers, as an interim intervention while progress is underway with the designs and costings for the school's green and sustainable rehabilitation and expansion intervention.
UNICEF, with the Ministry of Education, continued scoping through the Positive Discipline initiative in primary schools to utilise the modules to address new challenges many schools in Regions 1, 2, 3 4 and 7 experience through integrating migrant children. In the educational districts most impacted by the migration influx, over 15,000 host community including over 800 migrant children  ( 50:50 boys/girls )  benefit from innovative teaching and learning approaches implemented with UNICEF standards for ECD, conflict resolution and positive discipline. UNICEF's support to the MoE's drafting and finalisation of the 2019 2023 Education Sector Plan provides further opportunities for upstream advocacy to ensure strategies to address the negative causes and impacts of xenophobia will be included. The first draft was prepared and circulated with UNICEF's assistance in June.
Under the “Transitioning to Normalcy through Culturally Appropriate Early Childhood and Adolescent Friendly Interactive Interventions' project, 88 children between the ages of 4 to 17 years  ( 50:50 boys/ girls )  and their families have been provided with basic English Language support in their host communities. During the month of June, ten ECD sessions were conducted by community volunteers trained under the project in four Region 1 host communities, that were attended by 62 children between the ages of 0 to 8 years old. This has been complimented with the various Sports and Culture for Development  ( SC4D )  sustained interventions where 150 children under 12 years old and 50 children between 13 18 years have the opportunity to participate in community led activities that combine health education within the anti xenophobia and social cohesion initiative.
The Government and people of Guyana have shown great generosity and resourcefulness in welcoming Guyanese returning from Venezuela, as well as Venezuelans, and integrating them into their communities. These actions serve as models of good practice to hold up for the international community. Meanwhile, various forms of support could be useful to local and national institutions in Guyana and communities that are accommodating arrivals from Venezuela  ( including returning Guyanese, Guyanese/Venezuelans, and Venezuelans )  given the associated resource and capacity implications.
It is also clear that, given the current humanitarian and human rights situation in Venezuela, a significant number of Venezuelans in Guyana are in need of protection from forced return to Venezuela, where they could be at risk of serious harm and violations of their fundamental rights. 77% of arrivals from Venezuela interviewed by UNHCR and IOM in Guyana said they feared harm or violence in Venezuela. There remains the need to find a way to protect vulnerable Venezuelans from detention and deportation from Guyana and enhance access to legal status and work permission. Without a legal solution and clarity on the procedures to be followed, the insecurity of this population results in an actual or perceived vulnerability to detention and deportation, which causes vulnerability to various forms of exploitation and abuse, including human trafficking and extortion.
Team members also engaged the migrants in discourse during which they were able to gather qualitative data that were not otherwise gathered. In some cases, interaction was facilitated in English, Spanish and Warrau. Several team members speak and understand Spanish and this helped to reduce/remove barriers to communication. Where the local language of Warrau was spoken by the migrants, translation was done via a representative from the respective village; here again, communication barriers were reduced/removed. It must be mentioned that despite a large presence of Warrau, most of the migrants also speak and understand Spanish and in some cases English.
Some migrants were issued with immigration documents legitimising their stay in Guyana for three  ( 3 )  months. In excess of sixty  ( 60 )  such immigration documents were issued to the migrants by Sergeant Ronnel Murphy of the Immigration Department. Upon completion of the three  ( 3 )  months, they  ( Venezuelan migrants )  are required to seek an extension to stay permit from the Immigration Office at Mabaruma Police Station.
The housing arrangements for Venezuelan migrants in all host communities in this region is deplorable. Migrants are living in makeshift houses that offer little to no protection from view and the elements of weather. These structures generally lack proper and adequate roofing, walls and flooring; presenting an unsafe and healthy living environment for the occupants.
Families wish to have work, but they do not have access to forms of steady employment. An adult male shared that he works informally for 1 day periods in manual labour such as cutting grass or logging trees. It is common that he and others in the community are “hired' for a particular salary and then paid less after completing the job. When walking on the streets he has received violent verbal threats related to his status as a foreigner.
At White Water, it was learnt that nine  ( 9 )  young who are alleged members of the Syndicato Gang was prevented by members of the Guyana Police and Guyana Defence Force from entering White Water and moving onward to other locations such as Mabaruma and Kumaka. This occurred approximately one week prior to the conduct of this mission.
Although there is an immigration officer working directly across the river in Morawhanna, the majority migrants are not registered because they are hesitant to reveal their illegal immigration status and they have concerns about language. ▪
Communities raised the urgent need for non food items, particularly highlighting the need for tents, hammocks, clothing and bedding, and hygiene items. Many families are sleeping directly on the ground. Hammocks provided by CDC and IOM were visible in some communities, but additional supplies are needed.
Of note, is the large number of persons who are unemployed, not medically screened, and children not attending school. To this end, five hundred and fifty three  ( 553 )  persons are not screened for medical purposes; five hundred and twenty three  ( 523 )  adults are unemployed; six hundred and nine  ( 609 )  persons are not documented by the Immigration Office in Region 1, and three hundred and seventy three  ( 373 )  children are not attending school.
Some families departed Venezuela and moved to White Water or Black Water about 2 years ago, while others have lived there for a just a few months. Multiple families are from Monagas State and noted that they fled because of lack of access to food and essential medicine, and the volatile political situation.
In these communities the need to enhance these shelters, particularly roof constructions, raised platforms from the ground to withstand rain, and the construction of proper latrines is urgent. Additional shelters are needed to accommodate newer arrivals who are living with other families or in no structure at all.
We spoke with a Guyanese woman who manages the school's feeding program and is a leader in the community. Most families are from Delta Amacuro and arrived in August of last year, one family arrived in Jan 2019. She noted that the Community Chairman has been very unresponsive to the community's needs and suggested that forms of support be channelled through the school's Head Mistress in order to ensure that supplies actually reach the community members. She suggested that the community would benefit from its own health centre, and that it needs a community boat to access markets and the health centre outside of Imbotero.  ( They used to have a community boat, but it is out of repair ) .
The representative from the Ministry of Social Protection and other team members provided advise on actions to be taken to prevent such acts from recurring. 41% or 447 migrants are children age 17 years and younger. 5% or 56 migrants are infants  ( 1 year and younger ) .
Medical health facilities are open for public use including the Venezuelan migrants, free of charge. However, a significant proportion  ( 52% or 553 )  of Venezuelans and returning Guyanese had not yet received a health screening and vaccinations despite living in Guyana for several months. Language barriers, fear of presenting one's self to authorities because of their irregular status, and distance away from the settlement areas where migrants are located, were reasons mentioned for Venezuelan migrants not accessing and receiving medical care/services.
The school  ( up to grade 9 )  in Yarakita is overcrowded. The school is built for 180 students, yet 236 are enrolled  ( 8 of whom are Venezuelans – the rest are not in school ) . The school feeding program provides for 215. The 8 Venezuelan children in school do not have uniforms and are gradually learning English. It will be very difficult to absorb the rest of the Venezuelan children who are not yet enrolled in school.
Venezuelans and returning Guyanese households shared concerns about insufficient access to food. They use cash to access food in local markets, at much lower prices compared to Venezuela.
There is a notable government led livelihoods project underway in Smith's Creek. A packaging facility for crab and fish is currently being constructed  ( using the paid labour of 20 community members ) . Once completed  ( anticipated completion in March 2019 ) , all residents, including the Venezuelan population, will be able to bring their fish and crabs to the facility to package the products and formally sell to stores.
Nonetheless, nearly all adults  ( 84.49% or 523 persons )  are unemployed or do not have consistent access to income  generating activities. The afore mentioned unemployment rate is negatively affecting the Venezuelan migrants being able to afford sufficient food on a regular basis.
An elderly woman noted that although they have lived in Smith's Creek for 5 months, the children in her family are not in school because they are hesitant to register knowing that the children only speak Warrau and that they are not registered with Immigration. She is afraid to approach the school because she does not speak English. The family is from Delta Amacuro and they travelled for nearly a week in a “canoe'  ( paddle boat ) . The children in the community did go to school in Venezuela, but some of the schools shut down around 2 3 years ago due to the economic and political situation in the country. Her husband works in construction when he is able to find work but is generally paid half the salary as locals.
Multiple families emphasized that they have no beds or furniture and sleep on the floor/ground. However, they are grateful that they feel safer here in Guyana than in Venezuela. With reference to her relief to have found safety in Guyana, one woman stated, “We sleep on the floor here, but we sleep well.'
The Counter  Trafficking Unit, in collaboration with IOM, has been working on sensitizing communities in key locations through the use of information, education and communication  ( IEC )  materials. These materials contain information on the laws in Guyana in relation to trafficking in persons, the rights of victims of trafficking, procedures to report any incident of trafficking, and relevant contact numbers. These materials are available in English and Spanish. The Head of the Counter Trafficking Unit highlighted the fact that sex work in Venezuela is legal while in Guyana it is illegal so Venezuelans need to be made aware of this, particularly since there are organizations bringing Venezuelan women to the country to engage in sex work.
In terms of general crime, the police station in Port Kaituma stated that they mostly receive reports from Guyanese nationals regarding cellphone thefts allegedly committed by Venezuelan nationals. In Mabaruma, authorities report the presence of smuggling, including drugs and small arms, as well as piracy. Local authorities believe some Venezuelan women are crossing into Guyana at night to avoid being detected by immigration authorities
Venezuelan men expressed their interest in obtaining residence permits in order to be able to access formal economic activities and avoid being exploited at work. They would also like to obtain certification in desired courses.
At least 3 out of 5 men in Bartica were self employed or worked at a restaurant or in a mine. Many are underpaid or work minimum hours per week so their salaries are insufficient to maintain themselves while in Bartica, thus making it impossible to maintain their families in Venezuela. In Mabaruma, Venezuelan men are also taken to the mines to work there; however, they said that they are being exploited; working many hours and getting paid less than the offer received or sometimes they are not even paid for their hard work. They are also told that they need to stay one month and half in the mines before they can leave. According to them, Venezuelans are not aware of their labor rights and do not know where to seek assistance.
According to immigration officials in Bartica town, Venezuelan parents of children born in Guyana are assisted by immigration authorities with the birth registration act or the issuance of birth certificates and passports for the children once requested. However, there were some reports of Venezuelan couples who could not register the birth of their newborn due to lack of civil documentation, exposing the newborn to become de facto stateless.
Insufficient medical supplies to meet the needs of the host community and the Venezuelans is an ongoing challange. The hospital has seen cases of GBV, including among Venezuelans. According to the local authorities, counselling sessions were previously conducted and condoms previously distributed under an IOM HIV AIDS project that targeted high risk segments of the population. Such initiatives are no longer operational at Port Kaituma.
In a meeting with the police, it was highlighted that there are not enough human resources to adequately patrol the border between the two countries. As a result there is a fear on the part of the security forces that anyone, even those with serious criminal records, can slip in. There is a great deal of concern about the inadequate capacity to screen the Venezuelans that are coming into the country. In one illustrative example recently, 140 Venezuelans were able to purchase tickets at G$3,000 each  ( 14.38USD ) , to take the ferry to Georgetown. This incident served to increase tensions since locals were unable to secure spots on the ferry and also because the police were not comfortable with the Venezuelans going to Georgetown, as they were not properly screened.
information was shared in some of the FGD on serious criminal incidents allegedly committed by Guyanese policemen against Venezuelan women.