Venezuela and UNHCR sign agreement to protect refugees and returnees

The Venezuelan Ombudsman's Office and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen institutional cooperation and protection mechanisms for refugees, stateless persons, and individuals returning to Venezuela.

The agreement focuses on enhancing technical and operational assistance, including guidance and accompaniment for vulnerable populations. To improve territorial presence, the Ombudsman's Office will relaunch and strengthen its “brigadas defensoriales” (Ombudsman Brigades), which aim to decentralize legal, social, and humanitarian services directly to the communities most in need.

Additionally, the partnership will support the “Jóvenes Defensoriales” (Ombudsman Youth) program. This initiative seeks to involve younger generations in human rights promotion, risk prevention, and community-based solutions.