Venezuela Crisis - Improving Access to Emergency Services - Development and Peace 2020

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 Development and Peace is helping to improve the health of over 8 000 people affected by the Venezuelan crisis in the departments of Valle del Cauca Arauca and Nariño in Colombia. Project activities include: (1) providing shelter services to more than 5 000 people affected by the crisis; (2) providing hygiene and dignity kits to Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the shelters; (3) providing psychological and legal counselling to more than 3 000 people affected by the crisis; and (4) providing transportation services to vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and refugees.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to safe shelter services; (2) equitable access to legal and transportation services and psychological support; and (3) improved access to hygiene and dignity kits. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.