Politics
The European Union (EU) is to allocate over USD 254,000 to take care of about 7,500 refugees or applicants for the refugee status in Venezuela through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported on Thursday the organization.

The UNHCR estimates that in 2009 approximately 2,500 people will file an application for the refugee status with the Venezuelan state, in addition to 12,000 applicants over the past few years who are waiting for an official reply, Efe reported.

The funds, equivalent to 200,000 Euros, will be used to provide legal advisory, survival support, food packages and hygiene sets in communities where there is a growing number of refugees and applicants, under an agreement executed with the EU, stated the UNHCR in a press release.

Also, a program on visits to border communities will be strengthened in order to disseminate information about Venezuelan laws on refuge and educate some 900 people, including public servants and community leaders, about protection and humanitarian aid.

A total of 95 percent out of the 200,000 people who have arrived in Venezuela over the past decade seeking international protection are Colombian families who cross the border fleeing from the armed conflict in their country.