Improving Access to Health Services in Colombia - Doctors of the World 2023

March 2023 - More than 7 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015. Many of them reside in Colombia but others are in transit in Colombia to countries such as Ecuador and Peru. The refugee and migrant crisis continues to create significant humanitarian needs in Colombia while also exacerbating the effects of long-standing violence and armed conflict. Populations with acute humanitarian needs including refugees and migrants have also been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With support from GAC Doctors of the World is helping to improve the health status of crisis-affected people particularly women and adolescent girls in Valle del Cauca Nariño and the Ipiales – Cali – Pereira migration route. Project activities include: (1) providing primary health care SRH services and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to vulnerable refugee and migrant populations as well as host communities; and (2) providing training to improve quality of the above mentioned services to crisis-affected populations.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to medical services for vulnerable refugee and migrant populations as well as host communities to meet their basic needs; and (2) improved quality of primary health care SRH and MHPSS services to crisis-affected populations. The ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity preserved in countries facing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.