Protecting and Upholding the Rights of Children from Venezuelan Migrant Families

The Venezuelan refugee crisis is the largest migration movement in Latin Americas history, with more than 7.7 million people (as of June 2024) having left their country. Corruption, political mismanagement, and hyperinflation have led to a situation in which people have lost everything and can no longer meet their basic needs.

Colombia has taken in nearly 2.9 million Venezuelan migrants – more than any other country – which poses major challenges. At the same time, Colombia is dealing with nearly 8 million internally displaced people due to the country's ongoing armed conflict. In addition, Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest inequality between the richest and poorest segments of the population – particularly evident in large cities like Medellín. Migrant families often settle in impoverished, densely populated neighbourhoods, renting single rooms or sleeping spaces in overcrowded buildings with poor hygienic conditions. Their daily lives are marked by crime, poverty, conflict, and (sexual) violence. Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable, often neglected, and in need of protection from abuse and exploitation, as well as support in claiming their basic rights.

The project aims to protect and uphold the rights of refugee children and their families living in so-called tenement housing, to provide psychosocial and educational support, and to prevent violence against them.

The project helps Venezuelan and Colombian children and adolescents living in precarious housing conditions to understand their rights and learn how to live together more respectfully. Through targeted activities, they reflect on gender roles and learn how to resolve conflicts non-violently.

In addition, the project supports younger children with targeted motor, creative, and cognitive activities to help prepare them for school. Older children and adolescents can access tutoring to improve their reading comprehension and math skills. They also receive a package with school and learning materials. The children's families are informed about their rights, and both children and adults can receive psychosocial support to help resolve conflicts.

Family counselling helps assess whether the rights of children and adolescents are respected within the shared housing units or whether improvements are needed. In cases of serious violations, minors are referred to the relevant authorities for their own protection. The residents of the tenement houses strengthen their sense of community and jointly establish rules for peaceful coexistence – with a focus on protecting and considering the needs of children and adolescents.