With over 60 years of experience responding to crises throughout the world, including global pandemics such as Ebola, Malteser International is uniquely positioned to serving the people most forgotten in the news headlines: refugees, children, elderly, and the poor.

Since the beginning of the outbreak we have taken all reasonable steps to ensure safeguarding our teams and those we serve.

In times such as these, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the importance of caring for one another. Disparities in healthcare only exacerbate the severity of outbreaks such as the current COVID-19. For this reason, the importance of medical services that target disenfranchised communities cannot be overstated.

In Colombia, MI Americas is a major medical service provider to tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and rural populations. We run critical health, water, nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation projects throughout the region.

We work hand in hand with local authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide primary healthcare assistance to those most vulnerable by screening and treating communicable diseases at the Integrated Assistance Center for refugees and migrants (CAI), and the Refugee Assistance Center (CAR) and hospital in Maicao, as well as in refugee assistance centers and indigenous health institutions (IPSI) in Riohacha.

Working alongside health authorities and other humanitarian actors, we will adapt our programs to this new public health challenge in the following ways in Colombia, and other program locations:

• Ensure necessary measures are implemented in the health facilities and train all personnel on preventive and protection measures for COVID-19.
• Conduct additional in-depth hygiene educational activities for all of our health and WASH programs.
• Stock-up on hygiene articles and increase distribution to all beneficiary groups in and around our project locations.
• Increase mobile medical missions to remote and border areas.
• Provide special attention to migrants and refugees through the distribution of hygiene kits in combination with educational sessions and follow up.

We pray for a rapid, effective, and compassionate response to this global threat and are grateful for your continued support. The MI Americas team wishes you and your loved ones health and well-being.