RHU arrives in Latin America for the first time to shelter Venezuelan refugees
More than 5.6 million people have left the crisis in Venezuela since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring countries including Colombia, Chile, Peru and Brazil.
RHUs were installed for the first time in Latin America to host Venezuelan refugees, asylum-seekers and persons of concern (PoCs) at the Rondon I shelter in Boa Vista, Roraima. Rondon I is the 10th temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
The shelter comprises 120 RHUs, installed here for the first time in Latin America, with a capacity for 600 people.
In support of the R4V interagency response, UNHCR has implemented 924 Better Shelter RHUs in several camps in Boa Vista, Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. These units support UNHCR in fulfilling its mission to offer protection to Venezuelans who were previously living on the streets of Boa Vista.
Read more about UNHCR’s efforts in Brazil here.
Jean Carlos, 39 and Sonia Ramos, 31, were living in the bus terminal in Boa Vista, Roraima with their children and nephew before being taken to Rondon I. ; Rondon I is the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent filed in the state of Roraima.
UNHCR staff verify and assist Venezuelan refugees, asylum-seekers and persons of concern at the recently opened Rondon I shelter in Boa Vista, Roraima. ; Rondon I is the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent filed in the state of Roraima.
UNHCR staff verify and assist Venezuelan refugees, asylum-seekers and persons of concern at the recently opened Rondon I shelter in Boa Vista, Roraima. ; Rondon I is the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent filed in the state of Roraima.
UNHCR staff verify and assist Venezuelan refugees, asylum-seekers and persons of concern at the recently opened Rondon I shelter in Boa Vista, Roraima. ; Rondon I is the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent filed in the state of Roraima.
Edgard Bermudez, 43, and Yoselyn Coromoto, 28, spent seven days living in the bus terminal in Boa Vista before being taken to Rondon I. Now with a roof over their heads they are making plans to relocate to other cities in Brazil in search of job opportunities. ; Rondon I is the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I is hosting Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. Seventy-two per cent filed in the state of Roraima.