A Regional Crisis
Venezuela’s declining political and socioeconomic situation continues to spark violence and limit many citizens’ access to basic goods and services. Approximately 5 million people have migrated, most of whom remain in Latin America and the Caribbean. This has created an unprecedented humanitarian and economic challenge for the region. Public infrastructure cannot keep up and local citizens are concerned about limited resources. Moreover, once Venezuelan migrants meet their immediate needs such as housing and medical care, they face longer-term challenges like integrating into communities where they have settled.
The IAF Responds
We tapped our extensive network of more than 750 experienced community-based organizations to support projects addressing longer-term needs of Venezuelan migrants and communities where they live. We invested $4.8 million in our 24 grantee partners in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. These grantees encourage social and economic inclusion of displaced Venezuelans by:
- increasing opportunities to earn income
- combating xenophobia
- promoting conflict resolution
- facilitating access to health and psychosocial services
In 2021, we will continue funding more organizations in these countries and expand support to communities in Uruguay.
A Regional Crisis
Venezuela’s declining political and socioeconomic situation continues to spark violence and limit many citizens’ access to basic goods and services. Approximately 5 million people have migrated, most of whom remain in Latin America and the Caribbean. This has created an unprecedented humanitarian and economic challenge for the region. Public infrastructure cannot keep up and local citizens are concerned about limited resources. Moreover, once Venezuelan migrants meet their immediate needs such as housing and medical care, they face longer-term challenges like integrating into communities where they have settled.
The IAF Responds
We tapped our extensive network of more than 750 experienced community-based organizations to support projects addressing longer-term needs of Venezuelan migrants and communities where they live. We invested $1.6 million in our 10 grantee partners in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These grantees encourage social and economic inclusion of displaced Venezuelans by:
- increasing opportunities to earn income
- combating xenophobia
- promoting conflict resolution
- facilitating access to health and psychosocial services
In 2020, we will continue funding more organizations in these countries and expand support to communities in Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica.
current IAF investment
people benefitting
complements other U.S. government aid
How Our Grantees Are Helping
Expanding Economic Opportunity
Expanding Economic Opportunity
For example, Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Mujeres Unidas, a women’s saving and loan association in Ecuador, provides Venezuelan migrants and local Ecuadorians small business development training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, as well as access to credit for creating and improving small businesses.
Combating Xenophobia
Combating Xenophobia
For instance, grantee partner Acción y Desarrollo is creating a solidarity network in a low-income area of Lima, Peru, made up of Venezuelan migrants, local business owners, and representatives of public entities to promote Venezuelans’ rights and integration into society.
Reducing Human Trafficking
Reducing Human Trafficking
Grantee partner Fundación Desarrollo y Paz (Fundepaz) educates Venezuelan migrants in the department of Nariño, Colombia, to understand the country’s legal system and trains local government agencies and businesses to recognize, respond to, and reduce cases of labor exploitation and human trafficking.
Projects serving Venezuelan migrants
ordered by most recently awarded
Talk about community-led development!