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Connectivity for humanity: Efforts aid Venezuelan migrants in Colombia

Since the end of 2018, NetHope and its network of global nonprofit members and tech partners have been deployed in Colombia, working to alleviate the huge crisis of people fleeing the increasing unrest in Venezuela.

Since 2014, more than two million people have left that country, escaping the hunger, poverty, and destitution created by the unstable and oppressive government. In December, NetHope deployed a team of connectivity responders to La Guaijira, Bogotá, and Cúcuta, Colombia, where many of these migrants have gathered. Since then, several teams have deployed, setting up connectivity in more than 60 sites along the migration route for NetHope member organizations and other local NGOs performing humanitarian response, and for the migrants themselves.

While this connectivity provides a lifeline for the millions of individuals and families seeking to better their lives, it is a real power line for our member organizations who need reliable communications to provide relief effectively and efficiently. NetHope applauds the work of our members and the commitment demonstrated first-hand by our tech partners and the individuals who have given of their time, expertise, and hearts to help the Venezuelan migrants.

But so much more needs to be done. In the short video below, you’ll hear the stories directly from aid organizations and the migrants themselves of the needs—and the successes—that have occurred due to having this lifesaving connectivity, and the increasing pressure as more people flow into Colombia.

We encourage you to join with NetHope’s nearly 60 member organizations and more than 60 tech partners who daily help us to improve the human condition through the use of technology.

A special thank you to our members currently working in Colombia: Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children, and Team Rubicon Global, as well as our tech partners: Airbnb, Cisco, Ericsson Response, Facebook, and Microsoft.

We invite you to view this video outlining the work in Colombia and the effects it is having on both our members and the migrants themselves. Much work is still needed.

Link to video