Post by International Rescue Committee

“Little by little, I realized that I had to keep going. For my baby.” For Belkis, a 42-year-old Venezuelan mother, the journey to Colombia was marked by violence, abandonment and uncertainty. Pregnant and separated from her children, she faced a system where adequate maternal care felt out of reach. She is not alone. Over 1.7 million Venezuelans have sought refuge in Colombia, with women and children facing heightened risks of exploitation, gender-based violence, and a lack of critical healthcare. The IRC, through collaboration with the EU in Emergencies, provides comprehensive support to Venezuelans who have fled their country. To date, IRC health teams in Colombia have reached over 2,800 people, including 255 pregnant women who previously had zero access to prenatal care. Through her community network and the IRC center, Belkis was able to access essential maternal care, psychological and financial counseling, as well as legal support to help her reunite with her children. For migrants who face unequal access to local health systems, this intergrated support fills a critical gap. “I feel calmer, more hopeful,” she says. “Now I attend my medical checkups, continue my psychological sessions, and I know my baby is healthy.”