Ongoing Health Crisis
Migration: And still they come – month after month, week after week, every day Venezuelans cross the border (more than 7 million since 2015) driven by extreme food and medicine shortages, violence and political instability. Nearly 2.9 million Venezuelans have migrated to Colombia – many seeking better health care and economic opportunities.
Health Care: Pharmacies and hospitals in Venezuela have severe shortages of medicine and supplies and inadequate staffing as medical professionals leave the country. Even in locations where medical services are available in Venezuela, falling wages and hyperinflation have put medical care out of reach for many families. The collapse of the health care system has exacerbated health conditions for the migrant population with many going months without care. The COVID-19 global pandemic added another challenge for access to health care as border crossings were restricted. In Colombia, Venezuelans are entitled to receive emergency health care services from the Colombian public health care system, however, public or private non-emergency health services are often unaffordable and unattainable for most.
Response: Americares operates health centers and mobile clinics in several locations across Colombia to meet the increasing demand for primary care services and access to medicines for families fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, migrants arriving from other countries and host communities, some who may have chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Americares health services are especially vital for the migrants passing through Colombia known as “caminantes” or “walkers,” who make the treacherous journey on foot.
Watch the video of migrants coming to Colombia talking about their journey and hope towards a better future. “To be a ‘caminante’ (walker) is to have will, to have strength, and always telling yourself, ‘I can.’….”
