GEORGETOWN,  Guyana – Several civic and faith-based organizations have partnered to launch the Venezuela Support Group (VSG), a body which will provide advice and assistance to Venezuelans seeking refuge here from the deprivations and insecurity currently gripping their homeland.
According to a news release, the initial focus of the VSG will be on ensuring Venezuelans arriving here receive information and assistance to secure valid visas to remain in Guyana and are not abused.

The eight civic and faith-based organizations which are the founding members of the group are the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Institute for Transparency Inc (GITI), Moray House Trust, Policy Forum Guyana, Red Thread, Roman Catholic Diocese of Guyana and the Ursuline Sisters in Guyana.

The VSG is in the process of establishing offices made available by the Catholic Church in the compound opposite the Catholic Cathedral on Brickdam, Georgetown. The work of the VSG is being supported in the initial phase by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which is in the process of establishing a permanent presence in Guyana.

The VSG group said in pursuit of its aim, it has requested meetings with the Minister of Citizenship.