Border Assistance Colombia-Venezuela 2018

As a result of the political and socio-economic situation in Venezuela, the number of people leaving and seeking refuge in various countries in the region –including Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Argentina and Chile– has continuously increased), enhancing the regional dimension of this migratory crisis. Current figures are unknown – conservative estimates suggested as of December 2017 that over 1.5 million people were living outside Venezuela and that as of early 2018, the number of arrivals in neighbouring states, had steadily increased to 5’000 a day.  For UNHCR, it is becoming clear that a significant number of people are indeed in need of international protection and humanitarian assistance and are unable to return. Colombia – that lacks of experience on migration management and has no specific migration policy– has been the host country in the Americas most directly impacted by this situation. WFP estimates that, to date, over 1 million people[1] have crossed the border to Colombia and has declared a level 2 Emergency.

The IFRC and the Colombian Red Cross have warned about the growing humanitarian needs and vulnerabilities among Venezuelans crossing into Colombia, and asked the international community for their support (international emergency appeal for CHF 2.2 Mio in March 2018 increased to CHF 2.5 Mio in April).

The current situation raises a series of protection challenges affecting all people displaced from Venezuela, but particularly those who find themselves at the borders, in an irregular situation, as well as vulnerable groups such as women, children and indigenous communities. Many of the very serious protection challenges affecting people are in direct relation with the nature of the large-scale displacement. Other serious protection concerns are directly related to the particular context in the border region in Colombia: the existence of illegal armed groups, post-demobilization groups and other actors associated with illegal economies at the borders increase security concerns for people in these territories.

Due to the magnitude of the situation, the Colombian Government has declared its readiness to receive the help and experience of the international community to complement its response, which is at its limits. 

^[1]   Current figures are unknown. At the end of January 2018, the GoC estimated that over 550’00 Venezuelan were living in the country,   almost doubling the estimated 300’000 as of mid-2017. In addition, over 230’000 Colombians, including refugees, left Venezuela between July and December 2017, to return to their country of origin. Real figures are however believed to be much higher. As of April 2018, the Government of Colombia is working on a new census of Venezuelan citizens living in Colombia.

Resultados obtenidos:   1. Assistance to migrants: Migrant population receives assistance in health, psychosocial support and protection through the PAC (Puestos de Ayuda y Contacto) and Unidad Movil.
2. Training and capacity strengthening: human resources are trained to reinforce their intervention capacities in assistance and protection for migrants, and to implement activities related to health, psychosocial support and protection.

Resultados previstos:   1. Assistance to migrants: Migrant population receives assistance in health, psychosocial support and protection through the PAC (Puestos de Ayuda y Contacto) and Unidad Movil.
2. Training and capacity strengthening: human resources at National Societies are trained to reinforce their intervention capacities in assistance and protection for migrants, and to implement activities related to health, psychosocial support and protection.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:   The project is in its first phase.

- Institutional partners in Colombia: Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD), Cancillería (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores), Secretarías de Salud municipal de Cúcuta y departamental del Norte de Santander, Secretaría de Coordinación de Migración y Cancillería del Norte de Santander, Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje del Norte de Santander, Alcaldía de Cúcuta y Alcaldía de Villa del Rosario
- International organizations: ICRC, UNHCR, IOM, WFP and NRC.

Fase 1 08.05.2018 - 07.05.2019   (Completed)