The above is the verbatim title of a Guardian article published about a month ago. It is taken from an exclamation by one of the aid executives working on aiding the Venezuelan’s who have emigrated from their country of birth.
To give an idea of the catastrophe, over 5.6 Million Venezuelans have left the country since 2015. That is 18.7% of its population. It is the largest displacement crisis in Latin America’s history. Ever.
But relatively few of us hear about this debacle. We have heard much about the Syrian displacement halfway around the world. That is certainly also catastrophic.
But, how is it that we know more about Syria than we do about Venezuela?
This “knowledge deficit” has a real life impact on people. For instance, at last count, total funding per capita for Syrian refugees is more than 10 times that for Venezuelans — $3,150 compared with $265.
And Syrians, for the most part, head to Europe via modern transit and infrastructure, and generous welfare and support mechanisms. But Venezuelans tramp through inhospitable, impenetrable jungles, rivers, and/or seas, oftentimes traversing one or more less developed countries before arriving at a final destination. We do not know how many have perished in their attempts, but we do know many hundreds if not thousands have. I personally know of one who set out for Colombia and has not been heard from since.
I suppose the reasons for the Venezuelan exodus are not popular with the reigning Zeitgeist, hence it is played down. If so, shame on the reigning Zeitgeist.
Venezuelans have had a difficult history since the early 19th century as has been written in this blog many times (see here and here for two examples). However, they are a resourceful and energetic people, not to mention a beautiful people. And they are our neighbors. I say “they” because I am not in Venezuela. However, I was born there and consider myself Venezuelan as much as American.
If charity begins at home, and it does. And if we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, and we are. Then we should demand more honest reporting about what goes on in the land of Venezuela.
