The United States Agency for International Development launched Monday, according to Administrator Samantha Power, a new initiative to support the inclusive education of Venezuelan migrant and refugee children in Peru-visited a local school. The announcement further under signified the United States’ continued commitment to addressing the needs of migrants and refugees in the region-especially those from Venezuela. 

Perú now has the second-largest population of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, above 1.6 million Venezuelans seeking refuge there. In keeping with its long-standing partnership with Perú, the United States is supporting the government of Perú to provide critical support for Venezuelan migrants, especially in guaranteeing continued access to education as well as integration and related services to Venezuelan migrants. 

The new project will concentrate on ensuring access to formal education to migrant children and promoting legal status to such children, adolescents, and their families. Funding of this project will be $2 million of USAID, and it is led by UNICEF in collaboration with HIAS as well as the Government of Peru. This collaboration aims to create pathways for migrant children to remain in school and benefit from a quality education, while simultaneously supporting their families through the formalization of legal status. 

With its dual focus on education and legal inclusion, the project will help migrant children to remain enrolled in the formal education system, allowing them to achieve legal status in Peru, which in turn will enable their families to integrate more effectively into their new community. 

This legal status not only stabilizes their lives but also enhances their ability to contribute to the local economy. 

The United States government, through USAID, focuses on the value of the individual in society. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to encourage formal inclusion of migrants from Venezuela into Peruvian society. By working closely with local governments and organizations, USAID is tackling the serious issues of migrants and refugees, preventing dangerous onward migration as it helps them build strong conditions in their new places. 

This investment shows the commitment of the U.S. to making sure that migrants and refugees can build sustainable and prospering futures in host countries.