nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
VIII. SUMMARY Based on the study, Trinidad and Tobago, which was traditionally a transit country for the Venezuelan migrant flow, can now also be deemed a destination country. An increasing number of migrants are leaving Venezuela with intentions of residing in the twin  island Republic. Migrant profiles showcased the arrival of persons less than 40 years, the majority being male, with a minority being married. Many of the migrants traveled with their families and dependents, inclusive of children under 18. Certified technicians, other skilled persons and secondary school graduates are among those seeking refuge in Trinidad and Tobago. As such, many of the migrants resorted to the fields of Construction and Commerce. This gave rise to labour issues such as underpayment and other violations of the local labour laws. Another commonality among the Venezuelan migrant population were claims to asylum, with a vast number being undocumented as a result of entering through unofficial ports or overstaying their allotted time. The majority of migrants entered via passenger boats. Once they arrived, many migrants faced challenges with accommodation, access to formal education and health care. Other Venezuelan migrants experienced discrimination and other forms of abuse due to their vulnerable migratory status and their nationality. Although the study is merely a representation of the persons surveyed, which may be only a fraction of the entire Venezuelan migrant population, the findings can be used to inform policy decisions in managing migration for the benefit of both the state and the migrants.
A group of Venezuelans who are in TT have begun to arrange their return home.
Tineo, who had been visiting TT, was stranded when the government of Venezuela closed the borders on March 17 as a preventive measure against covid19. He and his compatriots in the same situation began to hope they could return soon last week when the two governments approved an exemption so that 30 Trinidadians in Venezuela could come home.
Adrian Tineo, one of the promoters of the Venezuelan initiative, told Newsday that for now the only option for going home is a charter flight.
Although the borders are still closed by covid19, refugees and visitors expect the authorities in TT and Venezuela to grant them a special permit to return.
"Many people want to return, not only those who are stranded: there are pregnant women, sick people who are alone without the support of anyone here." He said as a first step they created a WhatsApp group that now includes more than 100 people.
"We are preparing a list with all those who want and have the ability to leave. It is not a humanitarian trip, it is a paid flight and that is why the list must be confirmed first," he said. The group is trying to fill the 117 passenger quota of the private jet they would rent. "We made contacts with representatives of an airline and they are willing to help us, but we must meet the requirements to continue the process."
The UNHCR T&T Community Based Protection  ( CBP )  team conducted a protection assessment mission of three groups of Venezuelans living in the Icacos area on May 13, 2020. This was the second mission to the community by UNHCR as one was previously undertaken in December 2019.
Many refugees and asylum seekers however remained in a state of heightened vulnerability, with reduced access to basic needs, employment and shelter, as many sectors of the economy remained closed. Eviction from places of residence remained a serious threat as loss of income left many unable to make rent payments. The use of negative coping mechanisms given inadequate social assistance available to this population remains a concern. Attempts to access territory via irregular means were also noted.
UNHCR Trinidad and Tobago Operation continued to provide protection assistance for refugees and asylum  seekers during this period while taking steps to safely re  establish physical presence at UNHCR premises. Refocused protection operations continue with the implementation of expanded community communication channels and a pivot towards more community based protection operations. UNHCR returned to its premises on 26 May and reopened its reception area on 1 June to persons with appointments and emergency cases. We also continue to schedule and meet with refugees and asylum seekers virtually, an activity that was launched at the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.
COMMUNITY HOTLINE COMMUNICATION The expanded hotline service continues to be heavily utilized by the population of concern for receiving assistance referrals and needed information. For the month of May, the hotline received 859 queries from persons of concern, the majority of which have been requests for information on cash  ( 32% )  or food  ( 15% )  assistance or about registration appointments and rescheduling  ( 15% ) .
CASH BASED INTERVENTION  ( CBI )  After revisions to CBI criteria to include COVID 19 impacts were completed, a method for receiving remote applications was launched. CBI grants were delivered to 175 beneficiaries this month for individuals facing protection risks with very limited or no ability to achieve self reliance. Continuous screening is being conducted by partner LWC for a basic food, health and hygiene transfer value, to cater to the most pressing needs of the community, while a contactless modality option for delivering this assistance to families is also being explored
EDUCATION ACCESS The Education Working Group  ( EWG )  working with the Catholic Education Board of Management  ( CEBM )  have identified and are working to register 119 students to be placed in CEBM run schools. The students, all at the primary level, are all children of parents registered in the Government's 2019 registration of Venezuelans. 111 new beneficiaries were able to access lessons remotely in May through Equal Place, with a total of 789 students receiving education services for this month.
Approximately 100 persons in total live in all three locations with half of these being children and close to one third being women. The groups faced issues of inadequate access to potable water, inadequate access to quality sanitation, lack of access to education, overcrowding, unhygienic living conditions and poor access to social and health services due to their location, including testing for COVID 19.
FOOD ASSISTANCE Through partner Living Water Community  ( LWC ) , 394 families received food assistance in May. Beneficiaries apply for emergency food assistance remotely through an online form and once approved, receive QR coded e  vouchers that are redeemed at supermarkets in communities nationwide. UNHCR also collaborated with the LWC foodbank to support access to bulk food support in communities via parishes and community organizations, and door to door deliveries to individuals.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES OFFERED UNHCR implementing partner Family Planning Association launched a telehealth initiative using communication technology to offer medical services, which allowed them to reach beneficiaries who had not been serviced previously. 94 consultations on sexual and reproductive health for refugees and asylum seekers were conducted during May in addition to 12 paediatric care consultations delivered. Implementing partner Rape Crisis Society continued to provide remote psychological services, via telephone, instant messaging and interactive videoconferencing, facilitating 51 counselling sessions for victims of sexual and gender based violence.
FACILITATING LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES Following a Call for Experts from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, UNHCR undertook a phone screening of 400 persons of concern to identify persons from among the refugee community with medical experience for the COVID 19 emergency response. 20 professionals were pre identified to fit the criteria requested by CARPHA and UNHCR facilitated the submission of 13 of these applications to CARPHA.
Delores Robinson's days are usually busy. She heads GROOTS Trinidad and Tobago, a civil society organization that provides psychosocial care for people living with HIV. It also manages a transition house that provides shelter and services for displaced members of key populations.
Every day she prepares meals for 30 families. She then personally delivers them. There is no structured funding for this effort just money and other contributions from HIV response stakeholders.
There's a unique story at each drop off point. Today she manoeuvres through the narrow roads of Sea Lots, a low income community in the shadow of the capital city, Port of Spain. The men on the block recognize her car. One offers to deliver her parcel. She laughs. Ms Robinson has come to visit the seven children of a single mother living with HIV who is currently hospitalized.
Ms Robinson reports that her clients living with HIV have so far had no problem accessing their treatment. Before COVID 19, it was standard practice for Trinidad and Tobago clinics to dispense two  to three month supplies of HIV medicines at a time. HIV treatment facilities and sexually transmitted infection clinics remain open, although they have altered hours.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has provided a range of COVID 19 relief options. These include salary relief, rental assistance grants and nutrition support. Sometimes, Ms Robinson's role is to help clients navigate government systems. For example, one illiterate mother living with HIV lost her food card and needs help getting it replaced.
From the first case in the Region on 10 March, there were approximately 334 confirmed cases at the end of that month, and at 24 April, just about one week before the end of the month, the Region stood at 1 034 confirmed cases of the virus. During March, there was a spike in new cases. On 21 March, 40 of the 55 new cases were cruise ship passengers who had returned to Trinidad and Tobago. This also led to a sharp increase in the number of confirmed cases for that country to 49, an addition of 40 new cases, as well as the predominance of imported transmission as the main mode for transmitting the virus. Other major spikes in new cases for that month were on 26 March  ( 33 confirmed cases )  and 29 March  ( 32 cases ) . For the month of April, the spikes in the number of new cases have occurred on 15 April  ( 66 ) , 24 April  ( 60 ) , 20 April  ( 41 )  1 April and 21 April  ( with 37 new cases each )  and several other days that had a number of new cases over 30. In effect, compared with the period 10 31 March  ( 21 days )  that contributed 334 confirmed cases, the period 1 24 April saw an additional 700 cases over 24 days, which shows a definite uptick in the spread of the virus. ​
In Trinidad and Tobago preven ( cid:415 ) ve COVID 19 restric ( cid:415 ) ons con ( cid:415 ) nued to ease with part of the service sector being allowed to reopen from 8 June, and restaurants restar ( cid:415 ) ng ac ( cid:415 ) vi ( cid:415 ) es from 22 June. Amid these developments, many refugees and migrants remained vulnerable with reduced access to basic needs. For instance, some 100 Warao Venezuelans previously reported to be living in makeshi ( cid:332 )  structures in Icacos, the southwesternmost point, coastal village in Trinidad, con ( cid:415 ) nued to be in need of basic assistance. The Prime Minister announced that Venezuelans previously registered with the Government in June 2019, would receive a further extension of their documenta ( cid:415 ) on un ( cid:415 ) l December 2020, allowing them to stay longer in the country. Separately, a ( cid:425 ) empts to access territory via irregular means con ( cid:415 ) nued to be noted by R4V partners.
During July, the media repeatedly reported that the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have arrested and quarantined Venezuelans.
On 27 July, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Servicecirculatedfliers on Facebook stating that “illegal immigration' could cause a “new wave of COVID 19' and called on people to report “suspicious activity.'
Los fondos apoyarán medidas de las políticas para asegurar la disponibilidad y la ejecución eficiente de los recursos, apoyar los ingresos de los hogares y fortalecer la capacidad del Gobierno para identificar adecuadamente a los beneficiarios de los programas sociales. Además, los fondos se destinarán a la compra de equipo médico y a la contratación de personal médico
Prior to this, local NGO the Caribbean Centre for Human Rightscalledon the government to help Venezuelan women and children who may have been trafficked to Trinidad, instead of sending them back, including by giving them access to fair and efficient asylum procedures.
Amnesty International believes this new threat by authorities to criminalize refugees, and those in some cases helping them, risks pushing people further underground, into hiding, and away from the health services that could protect the entire population
According tonews reports, more than two dozen police are under investigation into alleged involvement in trafficking between Trinidad and Venezuela. When Amnesty International visited Trinidad in January 2020, Venezuelan women who identified as trafficking survivors told researchers that police were involved in trafficking networks. This, combined with the criminalization of irregular entry into Trinidad and Tobago, made them fearful to report the perpetrators, creating a culture of impunity for human rights violations.
“It's no secret that Trinidad and Tobago's authorities criminalize irregular entry, contrary to international human rights standards. But to deport Venezuelan refugees back to the human rights and humanitarian emergency that they were fleeing, in the middle of a pandemic, is an outrageous violation of the obligations that Trinidad and Tobago has committed to under international law. No one should be forced back to a place where they are at risk of serious human rights violations.'
In apress conferenceon 25 July, Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of National Security claimed that “illegal immigrants' and “boat people' and businessmen that “trafficked' them present a potential health risk and issued a hotline number for people to report to. He also said that Venezuelans who registered and were given legal residency and the right to work under the government's so called “amnesty' process in 2019 who were found to be “harbouring' irregular migrants could have their residency revoked and face deportation. Landlords found to be renting to irregular migrants could also be subject to criminal charges, the minister added.
Amnesty International understands that COVID 19 presents governments with a major challenge and they can regulate their borders in this context. But the authorities of Trinidad and Tobago are pushing a xenophobic narrative, which associates people fleeing Venezuela with the COVID 19 virus in a way that risks further stigmatizing and discriminating against people in need of international protection. Instead of using the criminal law to punish people forced to leave everything behind   which also risks pushing people further underground and away from health service   the authorities should work with NGOs, UN agencies and the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have made Trinidad and Tobago their home in recent years to find solutions that uphold Trinidad and Tobago's international human rights obligations.
TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO El Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo  ( BID )  ha aprobado un préstamo de 100 millones de dólares para apoyar la respuesta de salud pública a COVID 19 y aplicar medidas fiscales y financieras para mitigar los efectos negativos de la pandemia en la economía y los medios de vida.
Notably, a general election which occurred on August 10 saw the incumbent government being re elected to serve a second term, suggesting that the current government disposition toward refugee and migrant issues is expected to be maintained. Reports of new cases of COVID 19 increased in August, with an announcement made by authorities on August 15 that Trinidad and Tobago will now be regarded as having community spread of COVID 19. This led authorities to enact new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, including the prohibition of in house service at bars and restaurants. The restrictions continue to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities for refugees and asylum seekers as many saw their livelihood opportunities curtailed.
An environment of increased fear has arisen, due to recent instances of detentions, deportations, evictions and a generally heightened xenophobic atmosphere, including one instance of severe physical assault against a female Venezuelan asylum  seeker. Authorities have published images of COVID 19 positive asylum seekers, in one instance referring to a registered Venezuelan refugee who tested positive for COVID 19 as “a risk to the safety of citizens'. In another incident, the images of female Venezuelan minors who escaped from a quarantine facility were published on social media by authorities. Health authorities have also reported on the number of “non nationals' who are infected with COVID 19. Partners reported notable spikes in mood disorders due to this environment. UNHCR is aware of at least 13 asylum seekers who have tested positive for COVID 19 and were quarantined at state facilities. Planning for the 2021 Refugee and Migrant Response Plan also commenced in August, with R4V partners coordinating the protection response for the next year.
The non repayable grant will facilitate the development of final design studies for flood control works and a drainage action plan aimed at enhancing T&T's flood resilience over the short, medium and long term, thereby moving the nation one step closer to a future in which its citizens are better protected from the impacts of extreme weather events
According to the latest UNHCR data,12 there are around 3,200 POC children13 in Trinidad and Tobago, 73 per cent of whom are asylum seekers. Just under two thirds  ( 63 per cent )  are of school age: 1,223  ( 41 per cent )  of primary school age and 657  ( 22 per cent )  eligible for secondary school. A total of 1,092  ( 37 per cent )  are children of early childhood care and education age
Trinidad and Tobago's flood alleviation efforts have just received a boost in the amount of US$495,000  ( TT$3.37M )  via a grant provided by CAF   Development Bank of Latin America.
The Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance met with Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini, Director Representative of CAF Development Bank of Latin America yesterday, 5th March, 2020, at the Ministry of Finance, for the signing of a Non Reimbursable Technical Cooperation agreement, finalising CAF's pledge of nearly half a million US dollars towards the creation of a Flood Management Master Plan to address the nation's perennial challenges with drainage and flooding.
This follows a US$200,000 donation provided by CAF to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of devastating floods and landslides resulting from days of continuous rainfall in October of 2018. It also forms just one part of the Government's ongoing efforts to prepare T&T's infrastructure to handle the increasingly severe impacts of global climate change
Después de no reportar nuevos casos de COVID 19 desde abril, Trinidad y Tobago reportó nuevos brotes de infección en julio de 2020. Estos ocurrieron en medio de los preparativos para una elección general programada para el 10 de agosto de 2020. Los medios locales informaron sobre varias llegadas irregulares de venezolanos durante julio, incluido un informe sobre un estudio de la CARICOM que señaló a funcionarios de seguridad de T&T en actividades de trata de personas.
Las autoridades respondieron anunciando medidas destinadas a prevenir aún más la entrada no autorizada al país mientras las fronteras permanecieran cerradas. Se informó a los propietarios, empresarios y operadores de transporte marítimo y terrestre de la intención del Gobierno de enjuiciar a las personas que facilitaran la llegada y estancia irregular de refugiados y migrantes. También se alentó a los ciudadanos a utilizar una línea directa para denunciar a las personas que sospecharan haber ingresado ilegalmente al país. Se reportaron varias detenciones, incluidas personas interceptadas en el mar que intentaban acceder al territorio y personas detenidas en tierra durante operaciones policiales. Se informó de deportaciones de personas detenidas, incluidos venezolanos registrados en ACNUR y en el Gobierno de Trinidad y Tobago. Se informó a ACNUR de casos de xenofobia y discriminación que también se vieron en las redes sociales y la prensa. También se informó de desalojos de refugiados y migrantes
Continúan los esfuerzos de coordinación de soluciones y protección entre ACNUR y otros socios en estos asuntos
SAN RAFAEL SHELTER PROJECT. UNHCR continues to support the self sustaining livelihood activities of refugees and asylum seekers under the San Rafael Shelter Project, led by implementing Partner Living Water Community. The shelter, which houses 19 adults and 13 children, continues to move towards sustainable livelihood efforts, which include the addition of a Cash  for Work agricultural project involving six refugees and migrants, supported by UNHCR funding, who are expected to soon begin earning money from the sale of their crops. Living Water Community continues to meet the maintenance and repair needs of the shelter, while also working to improve the property through additions such as an upcycled playground for the children using car tyres and necessary infrastructure for the continuation of livelihood options. The property houses a diverse profile including LGBTI, indigenous Warao, as well as three locals who provide much needed support.
Since 2016, Trinidad and Tobago has experienced an influx of Venezuelans seeking to escape the deteriorating living conditions in their home country. As of late 2019, there were around 23,400 Venezuelan refugees and migrants living in Trinidad and Tobago,2 and this number is projected to rise to about 33,400 by the end of 2020. Migrants have been arriving by both sea and air. The overall number of migrants continued to increase until early 2020, although Venezuelan arrivals through official ports of entry have gradually decreased from a quarterly peak of 8,000 in early 2016 to less than 1,000 during the first quarter of 2020.3 By the end of June 2020
The analysis focuses on the following COVID 19 related impacts that could affect the well being of children: disruption to education, rising unemployment, mental health and safety, and risks to nutrition. Figure 1 provides a diagrammatic framework of the impacts, potential ensuing risks and associated mitigating measures. The framework also outlines the main logic model for the analysis, which identifies the extent to which the COVID 19 impacts and risks are occurring amongst the migrant population in Trinidad and Tobago, the exacerbating factors for migrant children, and the mitigation measures that can be continued, adapted or strengthened as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Scale up access and availability of PSS, including bilingual helplines, remote counselling and peer  to peer support.
Identify migrant accessing education services, through CFS enrolment and communication campaigns, to expand the reach of existing services to ensure that every child attends an education programme.
Also important is the fact that the secondary school students registered with Equal Place will be able to acquire the knowledge and competencies they need to successfully complete the Caribbean Examination Council examinations. Discussions are under way to obtain permission for primary school migrant students to sit the national primary school examination. It is critical for all CFS to adhere to quality learning standards, since if they do not, students' chances of accessing secondary and higher education will be compromised and they will be at a disadvantage in terms of gaining employment in the formal sector and reaching higher level positions.
The increase in unemployment due to COVID 19 is also shown in Figure 4, which compares the expressed priority needs of migrants before and after the advent of COVID 19. The economic situation perceived by the migrants deteriorated from mid 2019 to April 2020. In 2020, over 80 per cent of responses related to income issues  ( related to food, paying for accommodation and employment/cash ) . This was double the 2019 proportion of 38 per cent.
Due to rising unemployment and reduced incomes many in Trinidad and Tobago will be experiencing the negative impacts of increased family tensions along with a deterioration in their nutrition. To an extent, these effects will be mitigated by measures introduced by the government to reduce the impact. Measures include subsidies to employers to retain workers on their payroll, a salary relief grant, paid days for parents having to stop work to look after children who are not able to go to school, the extension of food card and social services grants, and other economic and fiscal measures
Train and recruit additional suitably qualified migrants to join the implementing teams of the child protection programmes.
To address these needs, UNICEF, UNHCR, the United Nations Population Fund  ( UNFPA )  and the International Organization for Migration  ( IOM ) , along with national child protection authorities and local partners, have been working collectively to address the child protection needs of migrant children and adolescents. Ongoing actions referral pathways for child protection and gender based violence  ( GBV ) ; the provision of PSS to children and families through existing social services and community  based protection mechanisms; developing systems to support unaccompanied, separated and trafficked children; establishing standards for the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation; and strengthening inter  agency coordination. A rapid assessment of PSS services delivered suggests that boys and girls of school age have been using PSS services in parity, while for adolescents there is a higher demand for services from girls than from boys. The increased demand from adolescent girls is related to socio emotional development and sexual and reproductive health needs.
Venezuelan migrant women and girls are fearful of being detained by immigration officials or police officers, with many feeling unsafe inside and outside their homes due to worries about detention, deportation and physical and sexual assaults. In all, 83 per cent of migrants reported depression among some family members, including their children.51 In 2019, over one fifth of migrants indicated that their most pressing needs related to concerns about residential status and safety. Examples of discrimination and some instances of physical and sexual violence have also been reported,52while CFS facilitators commented on migrant children's insecurity due to harassment and xenophobia, rootlessness and uncertainty from frequent changes in their accommodation
Heightened family tensions due to COVID 19 can take several forms  ( Table 2 ) . While these could well have existed before the virus, all are likely to have been accentuated by its impacts. And all have the potential to seriously affect the mental and physical health of children, particularly the heightened risks to children of physical abuse and domestic violence.
The Ministry of Health is maintaining health services, including vaccination programmes, during the crisis. However, the ministry reported that demand was lower than normal due to the absence of public transport and the reluctance of parents to bring their children due to their fear of catching the virus. As lockdown restrictions are relaxed, it is expected that the availability of public transport will increase and the health care services will gradually return to normal for all children
In 2018, over 60 per cent of migrants indicated that they had needed health care since arriving in Trinidad and Tobago, and 15 per cent had chronic conditions; over 80 per cent were not accessing reproductive or sexual health services and 44 per cent of pregnant women were not receiving pre natal services. Among the priority needs of migrants, health care was the most important after employment.66 In 2018, over two thirds of under  fives were unable to obtain vaccinations
In Trinidad and Tobago, access to primary health care, including support for infant and young child feeding, and growth monitoring and immunization for children under five years is granted to all. Yet there is limited access to these services for refugees, migrants and other non national groups due to such issues as lack of knowledge of where to go, long waiting times, being denied services and quality of customer assistance.65 These challenges are of greatest concern to those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and young children.
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  ( UNHCR )  had recorded 18,900 persons of concern  ( POC ) 4 – over 150 per cent more than the number recorded in August 2018. The great majority, 84 per cent of POCs, were asylum seekers and 14 per cent were categorized as refugees. In all, 85 per cent of POCs were Venezuelan.5 In June 2019, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago undertook a registration exercise to identify all refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Around 19,000 migrants were registered, comprising 16,500 adults and 2,400 children under the age of 17 years
Adapting to new countries will often be a challenge for migrants. The effects on children can be particularly significant, from separation, marginalization and discrimination as they simultaneously have to adapt to a new language and culture, education system, housing conditions and economic circumstances
Trinidad and Tobago, along with other Eastern Caribbean Area countries, has managed to contain the spread of corona virus disease 2019  ( COVID 19 ) . Between 11 March and 30 June 2020, there had been 130 confirmed cases, 40 of which had come from a single cruise ship in March, and 8 persons had died from the disease. During May/ June 2020, only 10 cases have been confirmed and no deaths.10 However, measures taken by the government to contain the spread of COVID 19, including border and school closures, lockdowns and restrictions of activities, have led to a deterioration in the situation of migrant children in the country. Furthermore, schools will continue to remain closed until the start of the next academic year. While the relaxations in the lockdown and the resultant return to work, which occurred during May and June 2020,11 will alleviate the situation, adverse impacts on the migrant population are expected to persist for some time. Unless these risks are addressed, they have the potential to seriously compromise the present and future well being of migrant children
Target existing partner funded social assistance programmes to provide cash interventions and food aid to families with young children, and the most severely affected migrants.
Access to education is one of the fundamental rights of children embodied in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.15 Since 2018, development partners and non governmental organizations  ( NGOs )  have worked with the government to guarantee migrant children access to the formal public education system, including In early childhood development December 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would not prevent Catholic schools from educating children of Venezuelan migrants.17 In addition, Presbyterian school boards indicated willingness to assist in providing accredited education to migrant children
These actions at the policy level have been supported by direct interventions to cater to the education needs of migrant children. During the 2018/19 school year, the United Nations Children's Fund  ( UNICEF ) , UNHCR and Living Water Community  ( LWC )  partnered to operate a temporary learning centre  ( TLC )  to provide education opportunities at primary and secondary levels for about 200 migrant children in Saint Augustine.19 LWC also conducted home visits to families with children under five years, to assess their situation and ensure that parents/caregivers are provided with ECD counselling.
Intensify efforts to enable migrant families with children to be covered by government social protection programmes and to extend their permission to work legally beyond the end of 2020. •
Schools are scheduled to re open in September 2020, and this will enable children to resume face to face education, start socialising with their classmates and considerably reduce their time spent at home. At the same time, the recent relaxation of the lockdown will enable children to resume socialising with their friends and take part in recreational activities. These changes mean that currently, the emphasis should be given to planning for the re opening of CFS in September
As a result of these interventions, access to education by migrant children has improved since 2018, when the TLC provided the only access,21 and since mid 2019 when 90 per cent of parents with school age children indicated that their children did not have access to formal education.22 At the end of 2019, over 1,300 children were pursuing their education at CFS  ( around 600 in those operated by LWC ) ,23 representing around 70 per cent of school age migrant children. In addition, 771 migrant children had been granted student permits by the Ministry of National Security in 2019, enabling them to be enrolled in state schools.24 While it is not possible to estimate how many of these were actually enrolled,25 it is apparent that a majority of migrant children were attending CFS or other schools prior to the school closures forced by COVID 19 in March 2020
The findings on the situation of migrant children prior to the advent of COVID 19 are similar to those captured in the 18th Report of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity of the Parliament. Thus, the call to action is to:  ( i )  strengthen the effectiveness of Equal Place and other CFS education programmes; and  ( ii )  facilitate the admission of migrant children to denominational schools with the capacity to accept additional children
Migrant children are at a heightened risk of abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation and psychological distress due to disruptions in family and community connections, challenges in accessing education, limited opportunities for play and socialisation, and lack of support services. Many struggle with adapting to a new living environment, language and culture differences, and have concerns about the safety and fear of deportation.
The need to mitigate the impact of school closure on children's educational performance has been recognized by the government in its programme to upgrade the availability of online learning.30 While these national programmes are not accessible to migrant children, the coverage of the Equal Place learning modality has the capacity to run 100 per cent online. It has now been expanded to children attending other CFS, resulting in an increase in the number of children officially registered on the Equal Place programme to about 850 children  ( 30 per cent increase ) , with parity of boys and girls. The programme is continued during the summer break, which enables students to remain engaged in learning activities and, potentially, increase coverage by enrolling previously non participating children until schools re open.
Increase opportunities for recreational, cultural and social activities for migrant children, particularly during the summer holidays.
Work with the government and partners to actively plan for the safe re opening of schools and CFS based on the ‘Framework for Re opening Schools' issued by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF34 with emphasis on:  ( i )  special measures for those children who were unable to benefit from the Equal Place online programme during the lockdown;  ( ii )  blending of school time and online learning; and  ( iii )  heightening psychosocial support services  ( PSS )  to address any mental health and child abuse issues potentially experienced by children during school closure
Following the government's registration exercise in mid 2019, registration cards were issued to migrants, allowing temporary legal employment until the end of 2020. In mid 2019, 61 per cent of adult migrants were employed and one third were unemployed. Over 80 per cent were no longer working in the sectors in which they were employed prior to departure from Venezuela. Income generation and employment were the priority needs according to migrants.
• Promote the training for migrants to help them acquire skills and become eligible for employment in aid funded migrant assistance interventions.
Taken together, these challenges can create pressure on household incomes and potentially lead to impacts on children. Firstly, child nutrition could deteriorate as parents are forced to reduce the quantity and quality of food provided, with additional pressures arising as they try to maintain remittances to their dependents in Venezuela. Secondly, as many parents have to leave the house to work or seek employment, children may be left unattended at home or in the care of older siblings  ( who would thus have to miss classes ) , thereby posing a threat to their well being. Thirdly, children's mental health and safety can be threatened as parents become frustrated at being unable to adequately provide for the household. This may lead to increased tensions, arguments and, potentially, physical abuse and domestic violence
Moreover, within one month of UNHCR LWC opening additional hotlines for migrants, 3,000 requests for basic needs assistance  ( food and cash )  had been received from POCs.43 These findings are reinforced by testimonies from migrants such as “this pandemic has affected my position at work, sales have decreased and my salary with it as well' and “I cannot work because my place of work is closed, I do not have money, food, nor a way to subsidise basic spending such as rent, medicine and food'.
However, except in rare cases, migrants will not be eligible for these programmes and will thus be at greater risk from the economic and social consequences of unemployment. They will also be worse affected due to:  ( i )  their uncertain residential status;  ( ii )  their precarious and sometimes exploitative employment situation;  ( iii )  the risk of eviction from being unable to pay their rent; and  ( iv )  marginalization and discrimination.
Current data shows that COVID 19 has been contained in Trinidad and Tobago and therefore the virus infections have largely spared the migrant community, as with the overall population of the country. There is no information to indicate that the health situation of the migrant population has been adversely affected. On the other hand, it is likely that the nutritional status of migrant children has deteriorated due to the curtailment of existing school based feeding programmes and parents affected by unemployment finding increasingly difficult to provide for their children.
The Government envisages the construction sector as one of the cornerstones of its recovery plan, with the urgent restart of current state construction projects worth TT$3.2 billion, and TT$600 million allocated to expedite ‘shovel ready' private sector projects.50 This measure will benefit migrants as the sector accounts for around half of migrant employment. However, it may take longer for them to regain employment due to their nationality, especially when they are competing against newly unemployed Trinidadians.
The Impact of COVID 19 on Migrant Children in Trinidad and Tobago Of great concern is the over 100 unaccompanied/ children,54 who are extremely separated POC vulnerable. More than 70 per cent of them are female and aged between 15 and 17. Often having to fend for themselves, some of these girls engage in commercial or transactional sex and other hazardous work. Some are likely to have been smuggled or trafficked. Between 2018 and 2020, there were four reported cases of potential trafficking of migrant children and 10 other cases of potential sexual exploitation.55 As with the cases of labour market exploitation, reporting of the sexual exploitation of migrant children is likely to be low due to lack of knowledge of reporting procedures, and fear of possible consequences.
Taken together, the risk factors underscore the need to further strengthen current child protection initiatives targeted at migrant children in terms of both their effectiveness and their coverage. This can be accomplished through the following priority actions, in alignment with the prevention and response strategies to keep children safe and protected from violence during COVID 19, published by the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.
To mitigate child protection risks and support children's access to inter sectoral programming, 10 CFS were established by local partners with UNICEF support and another 8 by other organizations in highly populated communities in Trinidad between 2018 and 2019. The CFS provide children with a safe space for play, socialisation and learning, with access to education, child protection, life saving messages, and social integration to reduce children's risk of violence, neglect and exploitation. In these spaces, children have access to psychosocial support and are given the opportunity to restore their normal development, reduce harmful levels of stress, learn and share positive coping strategies in a supportive environment with peers, and learn valuable information about personal safety.
While these impacts have the potential to affect children throughout the country, those in migrant households are likely to be at greater risk due to:  ( i )  their uncertain residential status;  ( ii )  existing and potentially increasing discrimination and xenophobia;  ( iii )  the already precarious nature of their parent's employment;  ( iv )  their exclusion from national income support and social assistance programmes; and  ( v )  increased risks associated with irregular entry due to border closures and reduced possibility of returning home. Overall, around half of the migrant families had been severely affected by the pandemic according to the LWC survey.57 National child protection services were identified as an essential service during the COVID 19 response and remained accessible to both local and migrant populations. Social and child protection services adapted their approaches by adopting remote case management, facilitating helplines and changing the way they responded to women and children experiencing violence. In addition to disseminating messages in Spanish, they promoted UNICEF guidelines and provided advice to parents on how to keep their children safe
Through partnership with ChildLine, LWC and other partners, mobile counselling services are also provided to migrants and host communities in rural areas, as well as counselling services to children and caregivers needing emotional support and guidance on life saving skills and protective practices. As of July 2020, 2,735 girls and boys had received psychosocial support, including access to CFS with inter sectoral programming interventions, and more than 1,500 children benefited from programmes to enhance their personal safety. Over 100 national actors have been trained in providing PSS to migrant children and their families. About 9,000 migrants have been reached with messages on how to access and use child protection services, and 400 people in host communities had attended dialogues and workshops designed to prevent xenophobia.
Strengthen monitoring of counselling and helpline services to identify incidences of child neglect, abuse and domestic violence in migrant households with children.
Further corroboration of the adverse impact of the crisis on migrants is provided by the LWC survey, which found that over half of migrants had been severely impacted by the crisis, and one in three had been somewhat affected.
• Ensure that migrant children aged 0–5 years, including differently abled, have access to quality childcare, health, nutrition, protection and early learning opportunities at home to address their developmental needs and develop school readiness
The severity of the impacts on the population in general, and on migrants in particular, resulting from the increase in unemployment will depend primarily on the strength of the economic recovery as the lockdown is being relaxed and businesses re open. From late June 2020, the majority of restrictions on working have been removed, thereby enabling the economic recovery to begin.47 Other measures remain, such as social distancing, limitations on gatherings and the border closures.
In summary, the already precarious situation of migrants and their children in Trinidad and Tobago is being worsened by the unemployment impacts of the lockdown, due to migrant ineligibility for government relief programmes, and the likelihood that it will take longer for them to regain the pre COVID 19 levels of employment and incomes. At the same time, the outlook is not entirely negative as, prior to COVID 19, unemployment in Trinidad and Tobago was low  ( less than 5 per cent )  and the majority of migrants had found work. Both these factors indicate that migrants will gradually regain employment.
Child nutrition will be adversely impacted by COVID 19 in two ways:  ( i )  discontinuation of school feeding programmes due to school and CFS closures; and  ( ii )  unemployment and reduced household incomes, which will make it harder for some parents to provide the food quality and quantity their children require. Providing food was identified as the most pressing need by over 40 per cent of migrants compared to 13 per cent in 2019  ( Figure 4 ) . These concerns are corroborated by UNHCR's decision to provide food assistance to the neediest families
• The worsening socio economic, political, human rights and humanitarian conditions in Venezuela have led to the outflow of Venezuelan refugees and migrants to Trinidad and Tobago  ( T&T ) . Since the end of the two week government led registration process that resulted in the registration of 16,523 Venezuelans, and since the introduction of a visa requirement for Venezuelans in June 2019, T&T has witnessed an increase in the number of irregular arrivals from Venezuela. These are taking place mostly by sea to the southern coast of Trinidad. Venezuelans who attempt to enter the country irregularly are exposed to significant protection risks, including human trafficking and smuggling as well as detention and deportation.
• The Government of T&T has announced that Venezuelans who received the Minister's Permit following the Government led registration process would receive a six month automatic renewal, as individuals who received their permits in May June 2019 have now reached the initial six month expiration date. The registration process has facilitated Venezuelans' access to basic services and the formal labor market. According to national law, a single Minister's Permit can be issued for a period not exceeding 12 months. It remains unclear whether new permits will be issued to Venezuelans after their one year expiration.
In addition, 68 per cent of the unemployed respondents reportedly lost their jobs in Trinidad and Tobago due to the pandemic.
On the other hand, the baseline interviews prioritized shelter, jobs, and food respectively, as main migrant needs.
Trinidad and Tobago reached 6,669 cases, 778 active cases with 120 deaths.
Hence, almost two thirds of the DTM interviewees had completed either secondary or university education.
he data further showed that 11 per cent of university graduates worked in the construction sector and 6 per cent were engaged in domestic work.
Additionally, 82 per cent of the interviewees indicated that they had access to essential hygiene and disinfection supplies, inclusive of masks and sanitizers.
Likewise, the baseline interviews recognized an increase in the number persons coming in with their families, inclusive of children.
Moreover, 20 per cent of the interviewees asserted that they had no access to health services when they needed it.
Also, close to 25 per cent of the respondents witnessed physical and sexual violence during their time in Trinidad and Tobago.
Another discovery was that one quarter of the pregnant mothers did not access prenatal services.
Trinidad and Tobago's borders remained closed during December, and COVID 19 infec ( cid:415 ) on rates stabilized