Lithuania’s government on Wednesday allocated 158,800 euros to relocate 12 people of Lithuanian descent from Venezuela.
However, the Foreign Ministry warns that the process will be hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Given the pandemic-related restrictions [remain] in place in various countries, it is not possible to say when these individuals could come to Lithuania," the ministry told BNS.
Read more: Twenty-one people from Venezuela to relocate to Lithuania in 2020
In total, 96,000 euros will be allocated to the Foreign Ministry, 38,400 euros to the Social Security and Labour Ministry, 17,700 euros to the Education Ministry, and 5,400 to the Health Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry will use the money to pay for the relocation costs, including travel, insurance, and accommodation.
Other ministries will be responsible for the relocated individuals' integration in Lithuania.
The government launched the relocation process last September in light of the escalating political, economic and humanitarian crisis in the South American country.
The Foreign Ministry says 25 people have applied for relocation to Lithuania since the start of the process, and 19 people have been granted the status to date.
Lithuanian citizens, people of Lithuanian descent and their family members who permanently reside in Venezuela may file an application with the Lithuanian embassy to Spain by October 1, 2020.
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