Venezuela Crisis - Improving Health Nutrition and Protection in Colombia - ACF 2020-2021

March 2020 - Over 4.8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015 many of whom are currently residing in neighbouring countries such as Colombia Ecuador and Peru. In addition to hosting over 1 million Venezuelans Colombia continues to suffer from the effects of longstanding violence and armed conflict between armed groups and criminal gangs. Crisis-affected people including those in host communities are in need of basic health assistance food and nutrition assistance protection services shelter and water and sanitation. With GAC’s support Action Against Hunger (ACF) is helping address the basic health nutrition water sanitation and hygiene and protection needs of crisis-affected people in the departments of Guajira Cesar and Norte de Santander in Colombia. Project activities include: (1) providing prenatal and postnatal health consultations; (2) delivering safe drinking water by providing water filters at reception points; (3) providing nutritional assistance (screening and treatment) to pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of five; and (4) providing training on basic hygiene practices and waste management and promoting hygiene to crisis-affected people.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to basic maternal health services; (2) improved access to safe drinking water; (3) improved nutritional care for vulnerable people; and (4) improved access to basic information on hygiene practices and waste management. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.