IOM's Appeal towards the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (to the Venezuela Situation) 2025-2026

Regional Plan
CRP last updated: March 28 2025
$516,950,391
Funding required
1,297,760
People Targeted
509
Entities targeted

IOM is committed to supporting safe and dignified migration, access to long-term socioeconomic integration and inclusion, and humanitarian and protection assistance in the 17 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean included in the 2025- 2026 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP). As co-lead of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform (R4V) and through the coordination and implementation of the 2025- 2026 RMRP, IOM will reach migrants, refugees and host communities. Additionally, IOM will enhance inter-agency coordination, the use of data to inform planning and programming, and advocacy for regularization and mainstreaming migration across policies.

IOM provides hygiene kits and blankets in two reception centres in the Darien, Panama © IOM 2023 / Gema Cortes

Never in modern history has Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) experienced such a large-scale movement of migrants and refugees. Since 2018, an unprecedented number of migrants and refugees from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (hereinafter “Venezuela”) have left their country of origin, driven by continuously challenging political, socioeconomic, and human rights dynamics. 

Since 2015, the number of Venezuelans living outside their country worldwide has increased from 500,000 to 7.74 million globally and 6.59 million regionally at the end of 2024 (R4V 2024).  The prospect of return in the short to medium- term remains unlikely for the majority of migrants and refugees, with the ongoing instability and uncertain political and socioeconomic outlook in their country of origin. The situation is also impacted by the overlap between Venezuelan migratory flows and those of other nationalities in-transit, which are included in the RMRP 2025-2026 in several countries (noting that migrants and refugees in-transit are included in all R4V platforms, except the Caribbean).

The year 2024 witnessed elections in several countries – the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela - and subsequent changes in governments and migration policies across the region. These shifts contributed to an increase in the number of stranded migrants and refugees across the region. The ongoing migration situation, coupled with the evolving political dynamics in host countries, the long-term economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and disasters in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru (hosting the largest portion of Venezuelan migrants and refugees) has created many challenges for migrants and refugees, including increased xenophobia and stigmatization, gender-based violence, mental health challenges and food insecurity.

Since 2018, through the R4V platform, the world’s largest coordinated response mechanism, with coverage spanning from southern Chile to Mexico’s northern border, IOM and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have co-led the regional response to the Venezuelan situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Launched in December 2024, the new RMRP 2025-2026 includes a total of 230 appealing partners, including UN, national and international NGOs, faith-based organizations, migrant-and refugee-led organizations, the Red Cross Movement, academia, and international financial institutions (IFIs). 

The Regional R4V Platform, based in Panama, has an established regional decentralized approach to ensure a coherent and coordinated response, by strengthening the coordination of operations in 17 countries in the LAC region that are included in the RMRP. The regional R4V structure is complemented by national and sub-regional platforms, with eight in the region including five national platforms in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as three Sub-regional Platforms in Central America-Mexico (Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico), Caribbean (Aruba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago), and Southern Cone (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay). Within the regional sectoral structure of the R4V, IOM co-leads the sectors of Shelter, Humanitarian Transportation (within the borders of a country for access to services), Integration, the sub-sector of Human Trafficking and Smuggling, the Accountability to Affected Populations – Communications with Communities (AAP-CwC) Working Group, the  Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Community of Practice, as well as leads the Working Groups on Information Management, Reporting and Communications. Similarly to the regional level, IOM maintains co-leadership of numerous sectoral spaces across the R4V’s national and sub-regional platforms.   

As co-lead of the R4V, IOM will continue to work closely with the 230 appealing partners of the RMRP 2025-2026  to promote socioeconomic integration and inclusion of migrants and refugees from Venezuela in host countries across the region, as well as  provide humanitarian and protection assistance to migrants and refugees from Venezuela,  migrants  and refugees of other nationalities engaging in onward or transit movement, pendular populations, Colombian returnees, and host community members. 

In 2024, the R4V launched the 1) Refugee and Migrant Needs Analysis (RMNA) 2024 and 2) the RMRP 2025-2026.

Since 2018, IOM’s Office of the Special Envoy to the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation (OSE) has held the role of co-lead of the R4V, a regional coordination and response forum based in Panama, with field operations across 17 countries in LAC. In this role, the OSE has led the way in responding to the needs of migrants and refugees residing and transiting throughout LAC, through the RMRP. IOM has a widespread presence in LAC, in capital cities, border crossing points, and in remote and/or rural areas, which brings an added value to its capacity to implement actions for the inclusion of the most vulnerable population in its programmes. 

IOM staff, specialized in emergency operations, health, shelter, humanitarian transportation, protection, socioeconomic integration, and accountability to affected populations (AAP), facilitate the implementation of multi-sectoral and comprehensive support to migrants and refugees from Venezuela, as well as to host governments. 

In addition to strong relations with national and local governments, IOM partners with international financial institutions (IFIs) and the private sector, as well as Venezuelan diaspora civil society organizations (CSOs) and associations. Of the 230 R4V partner organizations, IOM is the only organization with physical presence and direct operational capacity in all 17 RMRP host countries.

Across the 17 countries included in the regional Venezuela response, IOM has reached 6.11 million people with multi-sectoral services between January 2019 and September 2024.  As a result of generous donor funding, IOM has built capacity and strengthened field presence and operations, with the ability to scale up in 2025 to meet the needs of increasing numbers of migrants and refugees from Venezuela. 

The respect, protection and fulfilment of migrants’ rights is at the basis of the objectives and activities set forth in this plan. In particular, the RMRP places the rights and well-being of refugees and migrants and affected communities at the centre of its operations. This means ensuring the protection of migrants across the different activities –whether through humanitarian assistance, integration or strengthening of duty bearers’ capacity. IOM’s activities are guided by the Institutional Approach to Protection and the Gender Equality Policy.  


Host governments, and particularly local communities, are the primary responders to the regional Venezuela Situation, having offered protection, humanitarian assistance and socioeconomic integration opportunities to millions of migrants and refugees. IOM continuously coordinates with host governments in the region, at the federal, state, and municipal levels, to ensure responses are complementary to state-led responses, as well as efficient and effective in nature. In that sense, the 17 IOM country offices that make up the regional response have developed a framework of activities that complement the governments’ coordinated response, addressing pressing and unmet needs of migrants and refugees of all nationalities, Colombian returnees, and host communities.  
In addition, IOM plays a fundamental role in the coordination of the Quito Process, the regional government-led technical forum to address institutional challenges related to migrants and refugees from Venezuela. The Technical Secretariat, co-led by IOM and UNHCR, provides consistent support to the Pro Tempore Presidency and the member states.  The Quito Process has 11 thematic areas: Orientation Centres and Support Spaces (co-led by IOM), Education, Gender Equality, Local Governments and Host Communities, Socio-economic Integration (co-led by IOM), Protection of Children and Adolescents, Refuge/Asylum and International Protection, Migratory Regularization (co-led by IOM), Family Reunification (co-led by IOM), Health; and Human Trafficking (led by IOM).

In 2025, the government of Ecuador will take leadership of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Quito Process, following Costa Rica’s leadership in 2024. The Presidency of Ecuador aims to continue strengthening the Process as a space for regional discussion and coordination of public policies on the protection and integration of refugees and migrants and their integration with host communities. This is essential in light of the possibility of an increase in the flows of migrants, refugees, and returnees in the region. IOM will continue to support the Pro tempore Presidency through the coordination of the Technical Secretariat together with UNHCR and through technical and financial support in the different thematic areas. 

Key Operating Modalities
Participation and empowerment Integrated Programming Collaboration and partnership Localization Cash-based interventions
Cross-cutting priorities
Data and evidence Protection Mainstreaming Gender Equality Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse Disaster Risk Climate Change Law and policy

Under the Grand Bargain, and in line with the five pillars of IOM’s Localization Framework, IOM is committed to, and finances, capacity strengthening and mentoring, participation, coordination, visibility and advocacy of partners. Through its role as the inter-agency co-lead, IOM facilitates the participation of locally led civil society organizations and Venezuelan diaspora organizations, including 230 R4V partner organizations of which 125 are civil society/national NGOs, including 64 migrant- and refugee-led organizations and with an estimated 63% of Venezuelan migrant organizations being women led.  These partners contribute to community-based planning, coordination and implementation of the response for Venezuela, including the provision of humanitarian and protection assistance and to promote socioeconomic integration and inclusion. 

Through its programmatic operations, both at a regional and national level, IOM works with local and national actors (LNAs) including implementing partners, civil society, diaspora and non-governmental organizations, as well as government departments and municipal secretaries, to facilitate capacity strengthening, the development of sustainable processes and subsequent transfer of knowledge.

Objective 1 - Saving lives and protecting people on the move
Saving lives and protecting people on the move

$261,737,885
Funding required
1,050,700
People Targeted
213
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
International migrant
Internal migrant
Refugee
Local population / community

To contribute towards saving lives and protecting people on the move, IOM deploys the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and other forms of responsible data to capture, process and disseminate information, particularly needs assessments, to inform the strategic, appropriate provision of humanitarian assistance .To alleviate human suffering while upholding the dignity and rights of RMRP target populations, IOM facilitates access to direct health support, mental health and psychosocial support, food and multi-purpose cash assistance, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services, shelter and non-food items, with a focus on tailoring assistance to groups with specific needs, such as children, pregnant women, female-single-headed household, older persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous communities, victims of trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC). 

Humanitarian protection efforts, including direct assistance, referrals, and case management for GBV survivors and victims of trafficking in persons (VoTs), are undertaken to reduce and mitigate threats to and vulnerabilities of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, as well as other RMRP target populations. 

Finally, through the R4V inter-agency coordination infrastructure, camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) initiatives, support services to local response actors including local civil societies and provision of capacity-strengthening to government counterparts responsible for protection, collective shelter, health, and border management, IOM ensures the quality of humanitarian assistance and response is enhanced. Thus, IOM reduces the risks to and vulnerabilities of Venezuelan migrants and refugees as well as other target populations, while addressing the barriers to meaningful access to essential services, minimal living conditions, protection assistance and humanitarian response. 

Objective 2 - Driving solutions to displacement
Driving solutions to displacement

$111,243,295
Funding required
90,470
People Targeted
88
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
Local population / community
Internal migrant
International migrant
Refugee

To strengthen the resilience and self-reliance of RMRP target populations, IOM will support economic, educational and social integration and social cohesion. Through ongoing sensitization and capacity strengthening on migrants’ needs and rights, stakeholders will be better equipped to provide access to education, regularization, and essential services. Furthermore, IOM will continue to engage with private sector stakeholders, including regional networks and through the Enterprise Development Fund, to ensure Venezuelan migrants’ inclusion in private sector development, while also supporting entrepreneurship, professional mentorship and labour rights, facilitating sustainable livelihoods. Through the Quito Process, IOM will continue to facilitate the participation of Venezuelan civil society and diaspora organizations in the agenda setting and policy-making process to ensure their inclusion and consideration across member states.

To minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their homes, IOM will also work with governments, CSOs, partners and migrants themselves, by raising awareness on disaster risk management, strengthening capacities and providing technical support on disaster risk management frameworks, early warning systems, strategies, guidelines, regulatory documents and formulation of policies and plans.

Facilitating pathways for regular migration
Facilitating pathways for regular migration

$143,969,211
Funding required
156,580
People Targeted
208
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
Local population / community
Internal migrant
International migrant
Refugee

IOM will take a multisectoral, whole-of-government, community-based approach to facilitating pathways for regular migration for Venezuelan migrants throughout Latin America and the Caribbean for Venezuelan migrants. To that end, IOM’s ongoing work with host governments will support the establishment, expansion and improvement of regularization initiatives and access to legal services, facilitating migrants’ access to stability and safety through a regular  status, access to jobs in the formal labour market, and to essential services such as health care, shelter, and education.

Furthermore, IOM’s collaboration with the private sector, civil society and government stakeholders contributes to the inclusion of migrants in economic development. Through labour mobility, skills matching and job market placement, as well as capacity building strengthening of governments and the private sector on ethical recruitment practices to prevent exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking, IOM will promote migrants’  access to sustainable forms of income generation and livelihoods. Community-level awareness-raising initiatives on safe migration options, access to legal identity documentation and legal advice, and the risks of certain migratory routes encourage informed decision-making and reduce reliance on irregular migration, ultimately fostering safer and more sustainable migration choices and protection from violence, exploitation and abuse.

Finally, internal relocation programmes, particularly from remote locations to areas with more labour market opportunities and resources, will continue to offer long- term solutions to displacement challenges, including forms of regularization and reunification. 

Objective 1
Saving lives and protecting people on the move
$261,737,885
Funding required
[{"name":"Human suffering is alleviated","y":83},{"name":"Threats and vulnerabilities are reduced","y":10},{"name":"The quality of humanitarian assistance is enhanced","y":7}]
Objective 2
Driving solutions to displacement
$111,243,295
Funding required
[{"name":"Adverse drivers of displacement are minimized","y":8},{"name":"Displaced people are resilient and self-reliant","y":86},{"name":"Displaced people benefit from solutions","y":8}]
Objective 3
Facilitating pathways for regular migration
$143,969,211
Funding required
[{"name":"Channels for regular migration are sustainable and responsive","y":29},{"name":"Migration flows and cross-border mobility are well managed","y":35},{"name":"Migration policy and legal frameworks are aligned with international standards","y":11},{"name":"Migrants are protected from violence, exploitation and abuse","y":25}]

Percentage of funding required contributing to the long term outcomes expressed on IOM's Strategic Results Framework.

$20,173,132
Funding required
Related inter agency plans
RMRP

IOM’s protection-centred approach prioritizes migrant and refugee rights and well-being in all interventions. 

This is achieved through continuous efforts to identify, prevent and mitigate risks and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), facilitate accountability to affected populations (AAP) by promoting community feedback mechanisms (CFMs), and mainstream a gender and rights-based approach. This is done by strengthening UN and civil society partners and national platform members’ capacity to respond and undertake protection-centred measures.   Furthermore, AAP and PSEA are among R4V Joint Operating Principles, which apply to all RMRP partners. In line with these principles, all partners are committed to placing affected people at the centre of the response by ensuring that affected communities and individuals are aware of their rights, have access to humanitarian information and are engaged and participate in decisions that affect them. Partners also have a responsibility to establish mechanisms that enable affected populations to identify their priorities, needs, and capabilities, share their perspectives on the adequacy and relevance of the response actions with humanitarian actors, and receive feedback on corrective actions implemented in response to their observations.

$20,173,132
Funding required
[["Saving lives",46],["Solutions to displacement",5],["Pathways for regular migration",49]]
IOM staff welcome migrants by the Chucunaque River, in Panama, after they cross the Darien jungle © IOM 2024 / Gema Cortes
IOM staff welcome migrants by the Chucunaque River, in Panama, after they cross the Darien jungle © IOM 2024 / Gema Cortes
Basic needs, including food and multi-purpose cash assistance     Priority
$75,651,585 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Community stabilization and community-driven development    
$19,318,252 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Camp coordination and camp management    
$1,779,208 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Data for action, insight and foresight    
$14,215,648 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Disaster risk management    
$772,973 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Health     Priority
$82,230,767 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Humanitarian border management and search and rescue    
$18,657,580 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Integrated policy support    
$889,540 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Livelihoods and economic recovery     Priority
$80,767,107 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Mental health and psychosocial support    
$9,608,919 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Movement assistance    
$9,143,474 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Protection     Priority
$72,949,095 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Regular pathways     Priority
$35,139,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Shelter and settlements    
$51,243,158 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Support services for response actors    
$8,419,444 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Water, sanitation and hygiene    
$15,991,509 Funding required
Related inter agency plans RMRP
Operational presence in

Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago

 

The map used here is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.

Figures are as of November 2024. For more details of IOM's operational capacity in country, please see the IOM Capacity section.