Diaspora & Healing Venezuela
By Sabrina Velandia
Every year, millions of people move around the world in search of a better future for themselves and their families – according to ILO figures, only in 2013, it included around 232 million people (more than 3% of the world population).
As a global phenomenon, it involves millions of people from all the nations of the world – whether as countries of origin, transit or exit. However, it particularly affects the most vulnerable of foreigners: undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, those displaced by ongoing violent conflicts and victims of the crime of human trafficking – mostly women and children.
In this era of globalisation and increasing labour mobility, diasporas offer key benefits to both origin and destination countries and populations, contributing to the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversification in countries around the world.
Diasporas are also active subjects in covering, expanding and/or collaborating with the tasks of local and home governments aiming at supporting other diasporic communities, including members of the country of origin who are in need.
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Healing Venezuela represents a clear example of how the organised and committed diaspora can contribute to alleviating the country’s crisis. Its work has generated tangible outcomes resulting in the support of the Venezuelan population through a variety of programmes focused on the development of the health system and the nutrition of children at risk of malnutrition.
Thus, to date, Healing Venezuela has sent 12 tons of medical supplies to the country, has supported 200 medical residents, and has donated more than 200,000 meals for boys and girls – figures that are not insignificant for an apolitical organisation whose existence dates back to barely six years ago, and which is made up solely of volunteers from the Venezuelan diaspora.
Sources: ILO, ECOSOC