Initiativa Bogotá: Integrating displaced people

Colombia	Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia

A blood sample is taken from someone’s finger. There is a bag from ‘Aid for Aids Colombia’ on the table.

Context

Colombia has taken in almost three million people who have left neighbouring Venezuela due to political and economic instability. Around eight million people have also been displaced within Colombia as a result of armed conflict. Most refugees, migrants and internally displaced people have settled in the capital city of Bogotá. This influx has become a major challenge for municipal administrations. Moreover, the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated the situation.

Objective

The Office of the Mayor of Bogotá enables the socio-economic integration of refugees, migrants and internally displaced people.

A doll with a dress made of patches can be seen in the foreground. An event is being held in the background.

Approach

Through innovative approaches and new technologies such as an inter-institutional information system, the project ensures that the municipal administration involves the target group in important processes and adapts integration services to people’s needs. The project includes activities to resolve conflicts, promote peaceful co-existence in the city neighbourhoods and create a positive dialogue on migration.

It also cooperates with private companies to integrate displaced people into the labour market. The project advises Venezuelan migrants and refugees as well as Colombian returnees on setting up businesses and supports microloans so that they can realise their business ideas.

Furthermore, the project works with Charité Berlin, the national health institute in Colombia and the health secretariat of the Office of the Mayor of Bogotá to contain and prevent COVID-19 and local diseases such as syphilis.