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1 million Venezuelans makes more than a $1 billion cost to Colombia: World Bank

Click to play video: 'Venezuela experiencing mass exodus as people flee economic meltdown and political turmoil'
Venezuela experiencing mass exodus as people flee economic meltdown and political turmoil
Aug. 22: Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing economic meltdown and political turmoil in Venezuela, where people scrounge for food and other necessities of daily life. The exodus is threatening to overwhelm neighbouring countries – Aug 29, 2018

The World Bank is estimating it will cost Colombia upward of $1 billion to tend to the surge of Venezuelan migrants fleeing their nation’s economic and humanitarian crisis.

In a report published Friday, bank analysts conclude Colombia will need to make substantial investments in areas like health and education to cope with an influx of more than one million Venezuelans.

Coverage of Venezuela on Globalnews.ca:

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But the study also notes that in the longer term the massive Venezuelan migration to Colombia could generate economic growth.

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New arrivals will boost consumption and resulting tax revenues could improve Colombia’s economy.

READ MORE: Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro accuses Trump administration of seeking to assassinate him

The United Nations estimates about two million Venezuelans have fled since 2015 amid worsening food and medical shortages.

They are fleeing by plane, bus and when all else fails on foot to reach their destination.

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