Impact of Venezuela Migration on Citizen Security in Colombia

The influx of people has increased public health concerns, such as the spread of infectious diseases, xenophobia towards migrants, involvement in illegal activities, and general unrest in vulnerable areas of the country. Colombia's transition from 50 years of conflict and implementation of peace accords makes it crucial to address the destabilizing factors associated with this crisis. The assessment collected data from 11 Colombian cities impacted by Venezuelan migration, conducting 97 interviews and 11 focus groups with Colombians and Venezuelans residing in Colombia. The findings highlight the need for effective public policies to plan for the migration crisis, including communication of policies from the national to sub-national level, a comprehensive strategy, and sustainable systems in place. The Colombian population has a general understanding of the crisis and a will to help Venezuelans, but there is a lingering concern regarding the long-term needs of the Venezuelan migrants. Risk factors associated with the influx of migrants include competition for scarce resources and services, reduced access to services, recruitment and extortion by illegal armed groups, expansion of illicit economies, and lack of safety and security of migrants in transit. Migration also poses particular risks for vulnerable groups such as women, children, members of the LBTI community, and indigenous people. To mitigate these risks, the assessment recommends short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions that can be taken by the USG, the Colombian government, and civil society actors. Short-term recommendations include supporting efforts to register and track incoming migrants, supporting a communications campaign to counter xenophobia, and helping establish One Stop Centers to provide basic information and services to migrants. Medium-term recommendations include supporting public policies that plan for long-term migrant and receptor community needs, supporting community building efforts through Alternative Dispute Mechanisms, and assisting in the development of policies and communication of existing and future policies from the national to sub-national level. The assessment emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the migration crisis, including budget allocation, health services, and housing. It also highlights the importance of collecting accurate and reliable data to inform policy decisions and community engagement. The recommendations aim to ease tension, sustain peace implementation efforts, and mitigate the risk factors associated with the influx of migrants.