Aid pledged as Venezuela struggles with humanitarian crisis

Governments and institutions pledged millions of dollars Friday for humanitarian and development projects to address the urgent needs of Venezuelans. The funding promises came during a conference in Brussels designed to raise awareness of Venezuela’s protracted economic, social and political crisis.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan migrants often suffer discrimination for their nationality, have difficulties entering the formal economy and cannot afford housing, food, health care and other basic services. They are also increasingly embarking on second migration journeys within the continent, primarily to the U.S. Funding pledges by the end of the conference amounted to $855 million.

The U.S. government offered more than $171 million, part of which will go for food, water and sanitation efforts within the crisis-wracked country. That money will also cover emergency shelter, health care and other services for Venezuelans who have migrated to other South American nations.Part of the funding from the U.S. will go to U.N. agencies and nongovernmental groups already operating in Venezuela.