Social protection

Venezuelan legislation establishes a social protection system based on the constitutional principle of universality, which in theory guarantees refugees access to various social programs. Access to social housing and to health and support services for persons with disabilities is governed by laws of general application, without major obstacles for refugees, which would in principle allow them to benefit from such services. However, in most cases the law does not directly mention refugees, which introduces certain operational difficulties.

The Constitution recognizes a social security system for all, but the social services laws, when assigning institutional responsibilities such as the governing ministry and detailing the corresponding financing mechanisms, refer only to “vulnerable populations” in broad terms. This requires additional effort to ensure that refugees are effectively included in the design and implementation of these programs.

In the area of specific assistance, access to adequate nutrition is provided only in general terms for populations with special needs. Likewise, protection and assistance for victims of trafficking and measures against gender-based violence, except in the case of women, are based on general laws, which makes specialized attention difficult and creates a gap for other victims of gender-based violence.

In short, while the social protection system is governed by universality, the omission of specific references and procedures for refugees in most of the implementing laws means that their access to social protection and specialized assistance is subject to certain difficulties and requires additional inclusion efforts.