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The Americas region faces unprecedented levels of forced displacement, largely because of the situation in Venezuela. The country is experiencing accelerating, chronic climate shocks and stresses, some of which are factored into people’s calculations on whether to stay or leave. One of the most significant is severe and prolonged periods of flooding and drought, which periodically affect many vulnerable communities in Venezuela where people are already living under other constant risks factors of displacement, including many indigenous communities at the borders with Brazil and Colombia.
In 2022, the rainy season in Venezuela affected thousands of people with overflowing rivers, landslides and floods in several states of the country, including Apure, Bolivar, Cojedes, Merida, Yaracuy and Zulia. In the north-central state of Aragua, over 70 people were killed by devastating floods the first weekend of October. The town of Las Tejerias, 70 kilometres from the capital Caracas, was almost destroyed by a landslide. Experts said the storms were aggravated by the seasonal La Niña weather system gripping the region.
UNHCR works in Venezuela to provide support to refugees inside the South American country, as well as with vulnerable Venezuelan populations at risk of displacement, and also with those returning to the country from abroad. As co-lead agency for natural disaster risk mitigation in United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Venezuela, UNHCR has taken an active role in the response to the Tejerias emergency, sending truckloads of core relief supplies for the affected population.