“Dignity without borders”: Empowering people on the run

Programs

As a result of the growing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, more and more Venezuelan families are seeking refuge in neighboring host country Colombia. In most cases, their legal status in Colombia is unclear and they therefore only have limited access to the health and education system as well as the labor market. The Colombian host families are themselves in a difficult situation due to the ongoing armed conflict in the country and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The indigenous population in particular is severely disadvantaged.

The aim of the joint project between the local organization Secretariado Nacional de Pastoral Social/Caritas Colombiana (SNPS/CC) and action medeor is to improve the living conditions of Venezuelan refugee families and vulnerable Colombian families in the host communities in three municipalities in the department of La Guajira. A particular focus is on providing Venezuelan refugees with the necessary healthcare, especially in the area of mental health. In addition, the families are to be supported in generating their own livelihoods through entrepreneurial skills in order to improve their future prospects.

Many Venezuelans, most of whom live without a regular residence permit, settle in poor neighborhoods, where social tensions and an increase in xenophobia occur despite the common language. Therefore, special activities are aimed at sustainably improving peaceful coexistence and the integration of Venezuelan families into Colombian host communities.

In order to improve mental health care for Venezuelan refugees, initial psychological assistance and/or counseling is provided for Venezuelan migrants and vulnerable Colombian communities, as well as in-depth individual and/or family psychosocial support to develop coping skills and develop a life plan if needed.

In order to promote the integration of refugees, at least 9,000 people will receive psychosocial or legal counseling within the project in order to obtain regular residence status and access to the state health system. In addition, 480 families will receive training in entrepreneurship and marketing for self-employment. The families also receive a grant to set up their own businesses.

Project description

  • Project Goal: Strengthening the socio-economic integration of Venezuelan refugees, migrants, Colombian internally displaced persons, and host communities
  • Project Focus: Migration, psychosocial health, water & hygiene
  • Target Group:
    • Direct: 14,149 individuals (Venezuelan migrants, Colombian internally displaced persons, host families, and other vulnerable people)
    • Indirect: 44,707 individuals
  • Project Area: Riohacha - Department La Guajira, Colombia
  • Project Activities:
    • Psychological first aid/counseling, psychosocial counseling, legal advice for connecting to the general healthcare system and regularizing legal status, strategic engagement, and establishment of networks to improve quality of life
    • Promotion, support, and follow-up on the development of productive entrepreneurial projects, including grants for startups, material support, strategic engagements, and establishment of network activities to create alliances and enhance business visibility
    • Courses and activities to promote community participation in peaceful coexistence and advocacy
    • Campaigns and establishment of environmental committees to promote environmental health and provision of water filters, chlorine tablets, and water tanks to enhance access to clean water
  • Project Duration: August 2023 – December 2028
  • Financial Volume: 1,775,854.83 Euros
  • Partner Organisation: Secretariado Nacional de Pastoral Social/Cáritas Colombiana (SNPS)
  • Funding: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
  • Project Number: 6000229
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