About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is currently helping Venezuelans seeking refuge and opportunity in Colombia. In Colombia, we have worked in 17 departments since 2005, impacting more than 500,000 people, creating alliances and opportunities with the public, private and civil society with innovation, impact and influence. Led by Mercy Corps, the VenEsperanza Cash Consortium will deliver multi-purpose cash assistance to more than 310,000 vulnerable individuals over the course of three years.
R4V Flash Update: COVID-19 Update, October - November 2020
Format
Situation
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, movements of refugees and migrants from Venezuela continued to take place in the region. Since April 2020, it is estimated that over 135,000 refugees and migrants from Venezuela have returned to their place of origin due to their precarious situations and the loss of livelihoods caused by restrictions adopted by states to counter the spread of the COVID-19. The large majority of those returned to Venezuela through Colombia. Recent estimates from the Government of Colombia, however, state that some 200,000 Venezuelans may re-enter the country in the coming months.
Colombia: Situational Report October 2020 24 December, 2020 - 21:20
Countries: Colombia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Sources: R4V, Grupo Interagencial sobre Flujos Migratorios Mixtos
Please refer to the attached file.
Situation
• On 9 October, Colombia Migration announced a new Special Stay Permit (Permiso Especial de Permanencia, PEP for its Spanish acronym) for refugees and migrants who entered Colombia before 31 August 2020 with a stamped passport. The expeditions will be available from 15 October 2020 to 15 February 2021, and the process can be complete through Colombia Migration s webpage.
• On 28 October, the National Government updated Decree 1168 s validity to extend the Selective Isolation phase until 30 November, which includes more control on activities that can lead to agglomerations to prevent contagion of COVID-19.[.]