Doctors of the World Canada

Published purpose

March 2021 – Over 5.4 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015. Although many of these people are living in Colombia, others are transiting Colombia on their way to countries like Peru or Ecuador. The refugee and migrant crisis is still causing significant humanitarian needs in Colombia, where people also continue to experience the effects of violence and armed conflict that have long affected the area. In addition, the pandemic has significantly affected populations with acute humanitarian needs, including refugees and migrants. With the support of GAC, Doctors of the World is helping to improve the health of over 35,000 people from Venezuela’s migrant groups, particularly women, youth and LGBTQ2I individuals, as well as people from the vulnerable host communities of Bogotá, Cali and Ipiales. Project activities include: (1) providing comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and emergency neonatal care in mobile clinics and health centres to Venezuelan migrant women and adolescent girls and to the vulnerable host communities; (2) providing basic medical and psychological services to survivors, both women and men, of sexual and gender based violence; and (3) providing migrant groups and the host communities with awareness training on how to access the health system, training on sexual and reproductive rights and training on preventing sexual and gender based violence.