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Vaccinating migrant and local populations in border regions of Colombia

41_GIZ Colombia _ (c) Secretaria de Fronteras de la Gobernación Norte de Santander_Victor Bautista Olarte

The German Last Mile Initiative is supporting measures to protect Venezuelan migrants and vulnerable local populations in border regions of Colombia from COVID-19 and other endemic diseases. In cooperation with Charité Berlin and GIGA-Institut Hamburg, GIZ implements the financed measures through the Supporting Refugees, Migrants and Host Communities in the District of Bogotá, Colombia project. 

Cross-border migration poses a challenge for vaccination campaigns in Colombia. Working with local partners in border areas and along migration routes to Bogotá, the project supports COVID-19 awareness campaigns. This include offers of vaccination as well as counselling on other endemic diseases, such as syphilis. A serological study on COVID-19 in migrants is being conducted. In addition, laboratory reagents to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants are being purchased and laboratory staff trained in the use of the tests. Finally, a study is being conducted into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on other communicable diseases, using syphilis as an example.

  • Executing project: Supporting Refugees, Migrants and Host Communities in the District of Bogotá, Colombia
  • Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with Charité Berlin and GIGA-Institut Hamburg
  • Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
  • Local partners: National Health Insititute Colombia (Ministry of Health), Industrial University Santander 
  • Funding: EUR 4 m from Last Mile Initiative (in addition to EUR 10 m core funding)
  • Contact: carsten.schuettel@giz.de
© Secretaria de Fronteras de la Gobernación Norte de Santander/Victor Bautista Olarte
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