This World Refugee Day, we are called to remember the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disasters.

Within our scope of work with migrant and refugee communities, we are primarily serving individuals – mothers, fathers, daughters, sisters, and brothers – who have come to access our services from a variety of different backgrounds and are not defined by their migration status. Like us, they are simply doing their best for their families.

Dariannys Gonzales’ life changed forever when her family fled the political, social, and economic upheaval in Venezuela.

Dariannys, only 10 at the time, suffered greatly after being ripped away from everyone and
everything she knew and loved.

“I couldn’t get used to being in this country (Colombia). I didn’t leave my house, I didn’t socialize with my neighbors. I lived locked up because I missed what my life was like in Venezuela — I missed being close to the people I loved,” Dariannys, now a teenager, remembers.

As refugees, Dariannys and her family had no access to Colombian health care. It was only because of MI Americas that Dariannys was able to receive the medical care she desperately needed.

A mobile health brigade of Malteser International Americas arrived in the Cardón Guajiro neighborhood where Dariannys lives, offering medical care, mental health care, and medicine to Venezuelan migrants, refugees, and others without access to care. Through the health brigade, Dariannys received the treatment that allowed her to begin
rebuilding her life. She is stronger now and supported and full of new hope.

This World Refugee Day, let’s support children and families like Dariannys in Colombia and around the world.