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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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