Name: Adrian Chapa Cantu
Name of School: Madison International School
Name of Committee: United Nations Security Council
Name of Country: Venezuela
Name of Topic: Global Refugee Crisis & National Security
Background Information:
According to the UNHCR, a refugee is a person who is forced to flee their own country and
seek safety in another country, basically to cross international borders in order to seek shelter.
People flee from their country because of persecution and a violation to their own personal
human rights. The Venezuelan Government is aware that Venezuela has become a big focal
point of the refugee crisis, having millions of Venezuelan refugees fleeing our countries and
spreading among the neighboring countries. They understand that this massive influx of
refugees can put a strain and overload these countries, this is due to the fact that to support
these refugees you do not only need shelter but economical help as well. Since 2015 7.7
million Venezuelans have fled this country seeking shelter.
Around the world, this last decade the amount of refugees needing shelter has doubled. Syria
has become the country with the largest amount of refugees needing to flee the country. And
according to the UNHCR one in every 69 people is forcibly displaced.
Past United Nations Resolutions
One example of a past UN resolution that targeted or influenced the Global Refugee Crisis is
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Even though it didn't only target refugees, it
emphasizes the need to never leave someone behind and to address the root causes of
displacement. Another resolution is the Global Compact on Refugees. Though this is
technically not a resolution, it aims to put less pressure on host countries and find long-term
solutions.
Venezuela’s Position
The Venezuelan government believes that the refugee crisis occurring in their country is
because of two main reasons. Economical restrictions and political interference. This is why
many people flee from Venezuela to seek shelter in its neighboring countries. They argue that
we should focus on removing these sanctions to recover the country so less people flee.
Venezuela also stands strong on the decision of other countries respecting its international
affairs to bring a peaceful solution to this crisis.
When speaking about laws, Venezuela has set a few regulations on migration. To begin, The
Organic Law on Migration and Foreigners (2004) sets a series of rules for managing
migration and protects the refugee's human rights. Another law is the Organic Law on
Refugees and Asylees (2001) which explains how to grant refugee status and protect the
rights of people seeking asylum. Finally, The Law on Immigration Control and Supervision
(2008) deals with the rules of moving people across borders and the responsibilities of the
immigrants as well as the state.
Possible Solutions
When talking about solutions, Venezuela has already implemented some solutions but mostly
to mitigate internal factors contributing to mass displacement and offering assistance to
Venezuelan immigrants. Venezuela has started with some reintegration programs such as the
“Plan Vuelta a La Patria” which aims to help Venezuelans abroad to return to the country.
Venezuela has also coordinated with international organizations like the Red Cross and the
United Nations to provide basic necessities to ease the situation inside the country.
APA References
Muñoz-Pogossian, B., & Winkler, A. (2024, October 7). The Persistence of the Venezuelan
Migrant and Refugee Crisis. Center for Strategic & International Studies.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/persistence-venezuelan-migrant-and-refugee-crisis
Venezuelan Refugee and Migrant Crisis | International Organization for Migration. (2018,
April 23). International Organization for Migration.
https://www.iom.int/venezuelan-refugee-and-migrant-crisis
Venezuela situation. (n.d.). Global Focus.
https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/venezuela-situation
Venezuelan Humanitarian and Refugee Crisis - CDP. (2024, April 17). Center for Disaster
Philanthropy. https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/venezuelan-refugee-crisis/
The Venezuelan refugee crisis: Challenges and solutions. (2018, March 30). Brookings.
https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-venezuelan-refugee-crisis-challenges-and-solut
ions/
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