The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is looking to establish new international protocols to help migrant children and families better access care in Guyana at the start of 2022.
Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud explained to the News Room last Friday that with the influx of migrants in Guyana (including from Venezuela), there is a need to ensure that the necessary protocols and guidelines are in place so that laws can be adhered to when dealing with migration and migrants.
Her Ministry, she explained, deals largely with migrants who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse and the new protocols will help to expand the work being done to support migrant families and children, ensure adequate access to health, education and social services.
Information from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that Guyana could have 33,000 Venezuelan migrants by the end of the year. The assessment also outlined that the country also has a high number of migrants from neighboring Suriname And Brazil.
Already, the Ministry has published an Expression Of Interest (EOI) seeking viable consultants to design, based both on international and local practices, the protocol to outline the procedural steps for staffers of the Human Services Ministry – including those who partner with the Ministry – for access to care and support for the migrant families.
According to the EOI, the protocols, including for matters related to issues where children may need to be included in a formal residential care setting, must be guided by national laws and policies such as the Protection of Children’s Act and the National Policy related to Alternative Care for Children who are in need of adequate parental care.
