At least 5,500 people from Venezuela had crossed the border between Apure and the Colombian department of Arauca in the last two weeks. They are escaping violent clashes between the Venezuelan military and Colombian irregular armed groups operating in their territory. Women and girls crossing are at risk of gender-based violence or sexual abuse while crossing into Colombia. 

Even more, arrivals are expected in the following days, with people crossing in smaller groups in areas controlled by irregular armed groups.  

“A new group of people arrived at the Colombian town of Saravena Wednesday 31st March and if the current situation continues we can expect more. People fleeing violence have arrived in a place ill-equipped to receive them, with many sleeping in makeshift camps at a school and public basketball court in the city of Arauquita, ” says Tatiana Bertolucci, CARE Regional Director for Latin American and the Caribbean 

Those arriving in Colombia have reported threats, arbitrary detentions and aerial bombardment as the main reason for fleeing. The Colombian government has set up relief services for people who have recently arrived; nevertheless, its resources are limited, and it is severely overstretched. Colombia already hosts the highest number of Venezuelan migrants; over 1.7 million. 

CARE and partners work in Colombia to bring humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan migrants and host communities in Nariño, Santander, and Norte de Santander regions. Focussing on helping migrant women and host communities, preventing gender-based violence providing access to reproductive health services, legal and psychosocial advise and empowering women in border areas to solve conflicts and lead dialogue in their communities. 

Bertolucci says ; "This crisis is a new scenario for the humanitarian organizations working with Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Armed clashes, should be a determinant for providing international protection in Colombia and elsewhere. Armed conflict aggravates the already dire situation of people in need and exacerbates the vulnerability of women and girls. "  

ENDS 

Notes to editor: 

• CARE has spokespeople available in country available for interview. 
• According to UNICEF and humanitarian organizations in the field, 4 of 10 people displaced are children, and 1 of 3 are women.  

Venezuela: Women and girls at risk as they escape the violence produced by military operations in the border area with Colombia

At least 5,500 people from Venezuela have crossed the border between Apure and the Colombian department of Arauca in the last two weeks. They are fleeing the violent clashes between the Venezuelan army and Colombian irregular armed groups operating in their territory. Women and girls who cross are at risk of gender-based violence or sexual abuse while trying to reach Colombia.

More people are expected to arrive in the coming days in smaller groups, crossing the border in areas controlled by irregular armed groups.

“A new group of people arrived in the Colombian town of Saravena on Wednesday, March 31, and if the current situation continues, we can expect more arrivals. People fleeing violence have come to places ill equipped to receive them, and many sleep in makeshift camps at a school and a public basketball field in the city of Arauquita, ”says Tatiana Bertolucci, CARE Regional Director for Latin America and Caribbean.

Those who arrived in Colombia have denounced threats, arbitrary arrests and aerial bombardments as the main reason for the flight. The Colombian government has established relief services for newcomers; however, their resources are limited and heavily burdened. Colombia already hosts the largest number of Venezuelan migrants; more than 1.7 million.

CARE and its partners work in Colombia to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan migrants and host communities in the Nariño, Santander and Norte de Santander regions. The main focus of work is to help migrant women and host communities, to prevent gender violence by facilitating access to reproductive health services, legal and psychosocial advice and empowering women in border areas to resolve conflicts and lead dialogue in their communities.

Bertolucci says; "This crisis is a new scenario for humanitarian organizations that work with Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Armed confrontations must be a determining factor in providing international protection in Colombia and elsewhere. The armed conflict aggravates the already serious situation of women. people in need and exacerbates the vulnerability of women and girls. "