www.solidarites.org

Colombia

Emergency assistance for all the Venezuelan migrants on the Caminantes migration route
5.4 million Venezuelans fled the country to a country within the region in 2020 (according to the UNHCR)
1.7 million Venezuelans are welcomed by Colombia (february 2021 according to UNHCR)
6.4 million people in need
358 500 people helped

Context

The deterioration of the political and economic situation in Venezuela has lead to an increase in the number of migrants to Colombia since 2013 and more significantly since 2018.

In fact, populations in Venezuela need to deal with hyperinflation, supplying difficulties, a lack of medication and access to basic services, such as medical aid, in combination with an increase in crime rate.

Thousands of Venezuelans   therefore flee their country for other countries in the region. Many migrate towards or pass by Comlombia, a cross-border country that nowadays welcomes about 1,7 million Venezuelans. These migrants enter on daily basis colombian territory by various access along the border separating both countries. One of the major routes, for those getting to Bogotá or Medellín, passes by Bucaramanga. Every day, between 400 and 800 walkers, called ‘’Caminantes’’ (this literally means « those who walk »), take this route. The journey is difficult, is undertaken in rudimentary conditions and represents important dangers such as bribery, violence, theft, forced recruitment, sexual and sexist violences or even  the exploitation and trafficking in human beings (according to HCR).As a result, there is a critical need to answer basic needs, such as the lack of housing, the limited access to drinking water and food or the lack of sanitation and protection in the shelters along this road. Shelters and facility points have been opened in order to provide the Caminantes, meals, a shower, loading their phones and spending the night sheltered.

  • 50.37 million inhabitants
  • 17.5% poverty rate
  • 79th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index

Our action

  • Mission
    opened in 2019
  • Team 7 international staff
    30 national staff
  • Budget 2.5M€

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL work in collaboration with local partners in shelters located along the road of the Caminantes that leads to Bucaramanga, mainly on the cities of Bucaramanga and Pamplona, as well as on the axis passing through Arauca and Yopal.

Supporting activities are carried out in the surroundings of these shelters in terms of water access, sanitation and hygiene and in order to ensure food assistance for the Caminantes. SI carries out rehabilitation operations and/or the construction of water supply infrastructure, the installation of decent, secure and functional sanitary facilities or even the rehabilitation of sanitation infrastructure. This allows migrants to get a healty, worthy and safe shelter during their transit. These actions are put in place in compliance with the sanitary measures against COVID-19 and with the objective of preventing the spread of the virus in the shelters and among the beneficiaries.

Partners

BHA, ECHO, OIM, BPRM, King Baudouin Foundation

Our impact

water sanitation

Water, sanitation and hygiene

– Rehabilitation of showers, lavatories and hand-washing facilities in the shelters welcoming the Caminantes
– Restoration and construction of sanitary facilities and water infrastructures in medical structures providing medical and psychological support to the Caminantes
– Distribution of hygiene kits
– Raising awareness about protective measures and good hygiene practices

food security

Food security and livelihoods

– Preparation and distribution of hot meals and food kits for the Caminantes
– Improvement of the accommodation conditions in the shelters: financial support to the shelters, provision of equipment and material for cooking and sleeping and help with waste management
– Support for the most vulnerable Venezuelan migrants through transportation assistance

Should you have any questions, please contact Emmanuel Rinck

Emmanuel Rinck

Vacancies

10
At head office
118
Worldwide
12
Internships