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Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Key statistics

611,273

people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024

8.4 million

Venezuelans were refugees, asylum-seekers or in need of international protection worldwide at the end of 2024

$59.5 million

are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Venezuela are sustained

In 2024, Venezuela’s operational context grew increasingly complex amid heightened insecurity, political polarization, and new protection risks, particularly following the violent aftermath of the 28 July presidential elections. These events deepened social divisions, undermined community cohesion, and intensified fear and mistrust across the country. Simultaneously, access to humanitarian assistance was further restricted, even as protection needs surged.

Despite this deteriorating environment, cross-border movements showed a modest rise in returns. Monitoring by UNHCR-supported waystations along the Colombia–Venezuela border recorded a return-to-exit ratio of 38 to 62%, a three-percentage-point increase compared to 2023. This shift may reflect growing restrictions in host countries, anticipated immigration crackdowns in the United States, and perceptions of economic recovery in Venezuela, which has seen moderate GDP growth for the third consecutive year.

UNHCR’s protection strategy in Venezuela remains anchored in safeguarding the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, and Venezuelans affected by the crisis. It prioritizes preventing statelessness, supporting sustainable reintegration, and reducing displacement risks by enhancing community resilience and disaster preparedness.

Amid budget cuts, UNHCR made the difficult decision to close Field Offices in Ciudad Guayana, Guasdualito, and Puerto Ayacucho—border areas with Colombia—while reinforcing its presence along other critical routes by opening new Field Units in Santa Elena de Uairén (bordering Brazil) and Carúpano (near the maritime border with Trinidad and Tobago). Resources were reallocated to strengthen responses along strategic border areas.

To sustain protection and assistance efforts, UNHCR deepened its collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners. These joint efforts aim to offer multi-sectoral support across the displacement cycle, enhance community resilience, and expand opportunities for those choosing to stay or return.

Strategy and results

This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.

Strategy

Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.

Download the strategy

Annual Results Report

Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.

Download the ARR

Population and financial overview

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Use the year selector to access information from previous years.

Populations

Population types

Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is  .

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by country

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Population by origin

NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.

Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.

Financial

Budget and expenditure trend

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by pillar
Budget by objective

Note: The table presents the  budget for this operation broken down at the objective level. Resource allocation at the objective level is subject to change during the course of the year as the operational situation evolves and priorities shift. The current budget, reflected in the bottom line of this table, is updated on a monthly basis and is replaced by the final budget at year-end.

Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2024 budget and 2023 current budget are taken from the budget document approved by UNHCR's Executive Committee in October 2023.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.

Budget by Impact Area
Protect: Attaining favourable protection environments
Respond: Realizing rights in safe environments
Empower: Empowering communities and achieving gender equality
Solve: Securing solutions
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

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Strategy - Country

Strategy

For information about our work in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela:

Refworld

Find legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection.

Visit Refworld

 

Office contact details

The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela

Street Address:
Av. Luis Roche, Quinta Elsa, Urb. Altamira. Municipio Chacao 1060, Caracas, Venezuela, Phone number: +58 212.264.16.79, Caracas, Venezuela

Mailing Address:
Centro Altamira, Piso 10, Avenida San Juan Bosco, Altamira, Apartado Postal 69045, Caracas, Venezuela

Phone:
+58 212 2647391

Email:
[email protected]

Time zone:
GMT -4

Working hours

  • Monday: 8:00 - 16:30
  • Tuesday: 8:00 - 16:30
  • Wednesday: 8:00 - 16:30
  • Thursday: 8:00 - 16:30
  • Friday: 8:00 - 16:30
  • Saturday: closed
  • Sunday: closed