Faces of the Venezuelan Crisis
The crisis in Venezuela has caused millions to leave. To date, more than 5 million have fled the country.
Since 2014, Venezuela has been experiencing a political and economic crisis, marked by devastating hyperinflation, that has led to severe shortages of food and medicine and left seven million Venezuelans in need of humanitarian aid. To date, USAID has provided $171 million for immediate humanitarian assistance and longer-term development programs inside Venezuela.
We have seen the photos of thousands of people walking across the Venezuelan borders. But this crisis is more than just numbers. Each of those people has a story.
We interviewed the following Venezuelans at the border city of Cucuta, Colombia. We met them at a center supported by USAID, the Government of Colombia, Villa Del Rosario, and other partners. This center provides food and health care to thousands who are in need as they transition to another location.
It was difficult to hear their stories and learn about their daily struggles. But it was also inspiring. Each had a different story to share, yet they all had one thing in common: their strength and dedication to overcome challenges. They were there to help their families, to get health assistance for their children, to provide better opportunities for the next generation.
Each person has a story, each has a struggle and a dream, each has a face. These are the faces of the Venezuelan crisis.
Maria Fernanda
“My name is Maria Fernanda. My husband’s name is Jesus. And my son’s name is Santiago. I came from Venezuela because I was going through a very critical situation. I have just given birth to my baby and I saw that the situation in the hospitals is very depressing. The situation in Venezuela was very difficult. I simply had a dream and came with my husband and my baby, to give my son good economic stability. It is tough but never stop fighting for what you want.”
Edwin
“My name is Edwin Arguello. In Venezuela I was a merchant. We had no choice but to get out of there. My daughter and my wife are here with me, my daughter just turned two months old three days ago. I would like to return again to where I grew up, where I was raised. Where my whole family was since I was little. If I could actually return to my country, I would not really think twice about it.”
Maranyley
“My name is Maranyley Luz Mery Paredes. I come from Venezuela. I came here due to health issues of my son who has cerebral palsy. Thank God here the medicine has not been lacking. In Venezuela, he did not have it. In Venezuela I have three more children. It was tough to leave my house, my children. I’m not used to it, but I knew I was doing it for a good reason. For my son, and it was tough.”
Blanca
“My name is Blanca Oritz. I am from Venezuela. I am a mother of five girls. I arrived in Cucuta in search of (following) my daughter who has a high-risk pregnancy and she has a disease that can be treated here. I have four girls in Venezuela. What I miss most are my girls, my four girls and something that moves a grandmother, a grandson. If I returned to Venezuela tomorrow, I would love to work on social efforts of the community, help children, help single mothers, and the elderly. The elderly who are the ones that suffer the most. What makes me fight every day is my girls, their health. That’s the most important thing.”
Yosmar
“My name is Yosmar Lias. I have three children. I left Venezuela because the situation was terrible. I am an English teacher. I love that. I’ve been teaching for 20 years. That’s what I like. That’s my, you know, my comfort zone. Teaching is my comfort zone. I have a dream that is teaching here at the university.”
Yadira
“My name is Yadira Yanqui. The high cost of medicine in Venezuela, it has been impossible to stay. It is not easy because leaving your country where you had everything and now you can’t get anything. The reason I am here is because I have a grandson and a son with health problems, and we cannot get medicine. The situation in Venezuela is very critical. The high cost of food. There is no employment. Children, the elderly, and people with disease are dying due to lack of medicine. You have to live it, you have to live it to feel it. Just ask the all powerful God to allow us to return one day.”
Watch the short film here:
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About the Author
Sahar Kalifa is a Senior Communications Advisor and Content Specialist at USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.
