Progress made – further actions are needed

The outcome of the international donor conference in solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants is promising. Donors’ allocations should be clearer.

A total of $1.5 billion USD in funding, including $954 million USD in grants and $600 million USD in loans were raised today at the International Donors’ Conference to address the needs of more than 5.6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants. This represents an increase of nearly 50% of grants committed this year, compared to last year.

Several government representatives suggested their contribution will be implemented over a number of years and others mentioned that resources will be earmarked to addressthe crisis in Venezuela. However, generous global leaders and donors should clarify how funds will be allocated to the underfunded 2021 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan, which is an annual plan to support host countries.

Today it is vital that new funding from donors and governments is quickly channelled through organizations and UN agencies that have a local presence. Resources should be allocated to first-line responders, primarily civil society organizations, thus, fulfilling the Grand Bargain commitments on localization.

This year’s Donors’ Conference is also an opportunity to improve monitoring of funds pledged. To this effect, donors highlighted that the participation of civil society organisations can contribute to strengthening the monitoring of the commitments adopted at the International Donors’ Conference. The LAC RMD Coalition calls for a monitoring system to follow up on the commitments made at the donor conference that generates periodic reports and guarantees the strategic participation of civil society organizations.
The LAC RMD Coalition reaffirms its commitment; the opportunity to act together is now.