The refugee crisis across Latin America, caused by the massive flow of people fleeing Venezuela, has worsened over the last two years and now stands as the largest displacement crisis to date in Latin America. Official sources estimate over 7 million people have fled the country.
For almost a decade, Venezuela has been engulfed in a political and economic crisis. Inflation has skyrocketed and shortages of basic goods are widespread. Extreme poverty is insurmountably high for many. Meanwhile, anti-government protests and political instability has led to a volatile situation in the country.
As a result, millions have been braving a treacherous journey, including traversing the dangerous Darién Gap (an expanse of jungle between Colombia and Panama) to find safety and the hope of security outside their home country.
Of the estimated 7 million that have fled, 39% are being hosted in Colombia alone and in Brazil the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) anticipates 6.5 million Venezuelans will seek refuge in the country in 2024.
How SOS Children’s Villages is helping in Colombia
SOS Children’s Villages in Colombia has been responding to this rising crisis with the support of partner organisations, including other SOS Children’s Villages around the world. However, the crisis, especially the acute situation in Darien, is underfunded and there is limited capacity and response to children and families.
The situation is critical.
SOS Children’s Villages aims to respond in Darien by establishing a Child Friendly Space in the port in Turbo.
In addition, we aim to implement a stabilisation strategy in La Guajira and Santander based on family and community strengthening, to overcome the barriers migrant children and families are facing in Colombia.
Francisca’s story: Participating in workshops brought positive change to and her family. Post-workshop, her children not only want to be with her, but their relationship with their father strengthened. She said, “I tell families to love each other, to love their children. Family is the most beautiful thing."
We’ve identified the most urgent gaps in response in the territories of Turbo and Necocli, as well as Santander and Guajira, are:
- Access to basic services such as water and sanitation, health and nutrition.
- Protective and safe spaces for children and their families.
- Awareness of child protection risks under irregular human mobility.
- Access to education for children.
- Access to basic needs and rights
- A lack of case management processes in Turbo.
- Identification of unaccompanied and separated children.
- Mental health support for children and their families.
- Family strengthening support.
With this knowledge, we will continue to advocate for increased aid and response to these affected areas and will provide our specialist care to as many children and families as possible.
How SOS Children’s Villages is helping in Brazil
SOS Children’s Villages are currently fundraising for a new project in Manaus, Brazil. The aim of this is to provide homeless Venezuelan refugee children and their mothers with decent housing, education, skills development, and welfare support, to enable them to forge independent paths, equipped with strong support systems and financial self-sufficiency.
