The complex emergency stemming from an economic and political crisis in Venezuela has caused many Venezuelans to flee. Of the millions seeking safety and access to a better way of life, border countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador are impacted with the responsibility to ensure that security, safety, and effective aid coordination is in place to protect itself as well as those in need. NHFO is providing emergency telecommunications services to support its members and other relief aid agencies with active programs in response to the crisis.
Since December 2018, NetHope has, through support from its partners and member organizations, been able to provide connectivity to over 150,000 migrants in over 100 sites in Colombia and Peru. NetHope partners Cisco, Facebook, Team Rubicon, and MSB supported with deployment of the services.
For more information regarding NetHope Field Operations, please write to nh.fieldoperations@nethope.org
NetHope Venezuelan Migrant Response information is received from NetHope’s local members and staff operating within Colombia. Currently there is no restriction of mobility due to COVID-19 for telecommunications companies however, for the general population, it remains obligatory to remain home unless authorized to work and for emergencies. While the Colombian government is making attempts to gradually revive the economy by slowly allowing companies to reopen, NetHope continues to respond to the crisis through its partner Cisco which is providing remote assistance to active NetHope sites. NetHope is also receiving support from seconded member Mercy Corps, the IT manager on the ground. NetHope is currently providing connectivity to 75 sites within Colombia and Peru. Download the pdf of the sitrep for details.
NetHope/Facebook Grant (supporting COVID-19 programs) has been extended to members International Medical Corps (IMC), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and the International Refugee Committee (IRC), to support their Communications with Community (CWC) efforts to increase access to information, raise awareness on COVID-19 related topics, and to support the provision of medical supplies such as PPE and hygiene materials.
The International Medical Corps (IMC) Cameroon supported by the NH/FB Grant is implementing activities aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19) through hygiene promotion and training amongst the 58,096 refugees in four sites of the East region: Gado (25,701 refugees), Lolo (12,275 refugees), Mbilé (13,165 refugees) and Timangolo (6,955 refugees, as well as case management support at Mokolo District Hospital.
With the support of NetHope, International Medical Corps has started the procurement process and expects the first delivery of handwashing stations the week of June 1. NetHope will be supporting awareness-raising activities when the handwashing stations arrive training of community health workers.
IMC is also participating in coordination meetings to plan critical prevention and response actions for COVID-19 at the national EOCs with the Ministry of Health, Department of Disease, Epidemics and Pandemics, and the Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of Epidemics. Since its first efforts in response to COVID-19 and during the reporting period (May 16 to 29, 2020), International Medical Corps has also supported the following:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supported by the NH/FB Grant, is developing Omni Channel call centers integrating Telerivet and Twilio system software across Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. The platform is used for sharing information on the prevention of COVID-19 and how to obtain hygiene kits and other needed resources such as clean water.
The call centers will be available within existing sites implemented by NetHope currently providing connectivity for Venezuelan migrants. The NRC has started offering education and legal aid remotely using radio messages, phone calls, and videos, targeting 30,000 vulnerable populations and migrants. The information provides access to health supplies and locations of help centers, international protection for counseling, and remote legal assistance services. The NRC is also updating the ipi.conse.co site with COVID-19 relevant information for people in need of international protection. The NRC Venezuelan team is also discussing potential systems to be used for sending key education messages for COVID-19 response.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Colombia supported by the NH/FB Grant, is currently developing the Signpost information sharing platform in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for digital access to vital information services. The website will be rolled out to the existing 71 NetHope sites across Colombia to provide access to vital information to over 150,000 Venezuelan migrants and affected communities.
CHALLENGES
Limited mobility to directly support and report issues of existing NetHope member programs. is hampering existing networks and ability to deploy new sites in support of the Venezuelan Migrant Response.
Download the pdf of the sitrep for details about NetHope Partnership and Member Opportunities
