The VenEsperanza program focuses on several components to provide humanitarian assitance to the migrant population, refugees, returnees from Venezuela and host communities in Colombia.
We serve those in vulnerable conditions, affected by the Venezuelan migration crisis, by providing multipurpose cash assistance for access to shelter, water, sanitation, food and non-food items, while being able to reduce their protection risks.
We support migrants and refugees known as "caminantes" who migrate from Venezuela to Colombia (and other countries) on foot. We have several points of attention along the most traveled routes to conduct a pre-registration process, which is the first step to inclusion in the program upon reaching a destination. Since July 2021, we have completed more than 5,000 pre-registrations of "caminantes".
Our nutrition component is based on activities to improve the food security of families, especially pregnanet and lactating mothers and their children. Highlighting the importance of breastfeeding and complementary feeding is a factor of great importance, leveraged in breastfeeding spaces and corners in the departments where we work. By August 2022, more than 96,000 participants received information and attention through our nutrition work.
In coordination with Migration Colombia, we worked to connect the migrant and refugee population with the resources to register for the Temporary Status for the Protection of Venezuelans (ETPV). We provide them with assistnance to obtain this protected legal status that allows them to access public services and work legally in the country of Colombia. VenEsperanza has accompanied more than 26,000 people in the process to get protective status.
Through campaigns run on social networks, in the media and also through in-person events, we seek to raise awareness of the humanitarian situation of migrants and refugees arriving from Venezuela and contribute to changing the image of migration so that it is understood as an opportunity for the development of Colombia. In addition, we develop information campaigns on the rights and services available for this population.
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