Donate Medical Teams has an established presence in Colombia in an effort to support the influx of Venezuelan migrants. Without food and medicine, no option but to leave For years, tensions have simmered in Venezuela, forcing millions of people from their homes. Families leave to escape the violence and insecurity. They leave because it’s hard to even access basics like food and medicine. More than 4 million Venezuelans have fled their home country. According to UNHCR, this is the largest migratory flow ever recorded in Latin America. Colombia has received the highest number of Venezuelan migrants — nearly 2 million people. The influx of migrants isn’t likely to decrease in the near future. A lack of documentation and unaffordable services prevent many migrants from getting care. Because of this, emergency health centers are overrun. The demand for primary health services has completely overwhelmed the health system. Now, COVID-19 is making a bad situation worse. This migration has dealt a massive blow to the health situation in Colombia. Cases of malnutrition and preventable diseases have surged, while maternal and neonatal health has plummeted. Today, more than 1.4 million people in Colombia — both Venezuelan migrants and vulnerable local families — need immediate health assistance. Connecting people to life-saving care We are responding in a coastal region of Colombia with limited health care and an influx of Venezuelan migrants. Your support will help train Venezuelan migrants as health workers. This program will provide crucial support to the local health system. Volunteer health workers will be trained to reach out to their neighbors and promote healthy behaviors. After attending health education sessions, they’ll return to their neighborhoods to share what they’ve learned, creating a multiplying effect that benefits the whole community. They will monitor high-risk people, like pregnant women, children and the elderly. Volunteers will also provide referrals to subsidized care. For migrants who have left everything behind — homes, family, jobs — this program can also provide a sense of purpose. Many are educated and eager to put their skills to use but can’t work in Colombia. Community health workers are a vital and impactful way to send eyes and ears out into the local community and connect people with life-saving care. Debunking 6 Myths About Refugees Today is World Refugee Day, the international day to honor people who have been forced to flee their homes, lives, and... An Open Letter About the Impacts of Funding Cuts As I’m sure you know, there have been significant cuts to U.S. funding for global aid programs. We knew this would... The Universal Experience of Motherhood It was a typical Tuesday morning, and I was hustling through the well-rehearsed choreography of preparing breakfast for... Celebrating 2024 at Medical Teams As we venture into a new year at Medical Teams, we want to take one last look back at 2024 and all the amazing things we... Historias poderosas de sanación desde Colombia Below you will find an English version of the text – scroll down to read these stories of healing in English. Un... What’s Happening in the Darién Gap? Maybe you’ve seen a news report about people crossing the world’s deadliest jungle, or maybe you read our Colombia... Love Your Neighbor: A Friendship in Photos At Medical Teams, one of the best parts of our work is seeing the ways people connect because of our work. Sometimes... Love a Neighbor Like Naylin When Naylin came to Colombia nearly 6 years ago, she felt lonely and isolated. Though her decision was motivated by her... Love Your Neighbor Like Margri Does At Medical Teams, we believe that loving our neighbors — near or far — is the way forward toward a healthier world.... Making Arepas: Marysabel Cardozo Reflects for National Hispanic Heritage Month Each year, between September 15 and October 15, communities across America come together to celebrate the heritage,... Top 5 Health Threats to Children Under 5 Over five million children under five die each year from preventable causes. Nearly half of those deaths are babies in... A Look at Life for Venezuelan Migrants The Colombian public healthcare system has completely collapsed under the weight of thousands of Venezuelans who have...