Venezuela Crisis - Improving Access to Basic Health Services in Colombia - Doctors of the World 2019

March 2019 - More than 3.3 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015 many of them currently residing in neighbouring countries such as Colombia Ecuador and Peru. In addition to hosting more than one million Venezuelans Colombia continues to suffer from the effects of long-standing violence and armed conflict between armed groups and criminal gangs. Crises-affected people including host communities need basic health care food and nutritional assistance protection services shelter and clean water. With the support of Global Affairs Canada Médecins du Monde is helping to improve the health of up to 37 300 people affected by the Venezuelan crisis in the department of Nariño in Colombia. Project activities include: (1) providing sexual and reproductive health services to approximately 2 000 vulnerable women and adolescent girls; (2) providing medical mental health and psychosocial counselling to approximately 5 000 people affected by the crisis; (3) training health personnel on health care for the migrant population; and (4) training community organizations and Venezuelan associations on the right to health gender equality prevention of violence and sexual exploitation.

The expected immediate outcomes of this project include: (1) equitable access to primary health and sexual and reproductive health services as well as psychosocial support; and (2) increased capacity of partner organizations and associations. The ultimate expected result is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity preserved in countries facing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.