By Steven Malca | President, South American Initiative
Helping Venezuelan Refugees Start a New Life in Colombia
SAI volunteer carries a woman on his back to cross the river from Venezuela into Colombia. Most of the refugees carry all that they have as they seek a new life.
SAI Provides Food Cards for Venezuelan Refugees Migrating into Colombia to Buy Food
It is estimated that over 1.7 million Venezuelans have migrated to Colombia seeking refuge from a collapsed economy and political unrest.
South American Initiative is providing Venezuelan refugees with food cards they can use at local Colombian stores to buy groceries and personal hygiene supplies immediately when they cross the border into Colombia.
5,000 Venezuelan Migrants Cross into Colombia Daily
It is estimated that 5,000 Venezuelans cross the border into Colombia every day. This landmark migration requires humanitarian aid to help new settlers with food, shelter, and medical care. They will also need education to get jobs in Colombia.
In most cases, these refugees do not have any food or personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and over the counter medicines. Venezuelan refugees use SAI food cards to purchase groceries to feed their families after crossing the border into Colombia. They are very happy to receive such a warm welcome to their new country.
Once the refugees cross the border into Colombia, SAI volunteers welcome them to their new homeland. Here they are offered something to drink, a snack, and an opportunity to learn how families can acquire a free SAI food card worth $40-$60 per month.
This is a digital currency they can use immediately to purchase food and personal supplies they need to help start a new life in Colombia. This money is used for emergency help for migrants who have lost their jobs or have been laid off because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Your generous donations provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to help Venezuelans overcome one crisis on top of another crisis. We thank you for sharing your prosperity with those who are severely less fortunate than you.
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