By Roberta Alves, Deputy Director of Communications, Mercy Corps, and Victor Manuel Leiva Linares, Mercy Corps Colombia Communications Manager
Darily Mora, is a Venezuelan migrant who was forced to move to Colombia. Through Mercy Corps and the VenEsperanza consortium, a collaborative effort with IRC, World Vision, and Save the Children, she now has found new hope and resilience. Photo: Mercy Corps Colombia
Venezuelan migration surged by 8.3% between the end of 2023 and 2024, compelling approximately 402,354 individuals to seek refuge beyond their borders, according to data from the NGO coordination platform for humanitarian response in Colombia. Among these migrants, Colombia emerged as the primary destination, hosting nearly 3 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees, as reported by the same NGO platform.
In January 2024 alone, 36,001 people traversed the dangerous Darien Gap, marking a 46% increase compared to the previous year, with 60% of these migrants hailing from Venezuela, as documented by Crisis Group Latin America data. This surge underscored the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis unfolding at Colombia’s doorstep.
In response to this humanitarian crisis, Mercy Corps intensified its efforts to provide vital support to refugee and migrant populations. Since 2019, Mercy Corps has been at the forefront. Through a range of programs spanning humanitarian assistance, protection, and economic empowerment, Mercy Corps eased the transition for migrant populations, facilitating their integration into Colombian society.
Operating primarily in Antioquia, Cesar, and Bolivar, Mercy Corps has impacted the lives of over 500,000 individuals, offering a lifeline to those in need. The VenEsperanza consortium, a collaborative effort with IRC, World Vision, and Save the Children, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor, through which they have been able to be present in the most important regions where migration is arriving.
Among the many success stories, Darily Mora’s journey stands out as a testament to the transformative impact of Mercy Corps programs. Initially seeking assistance with her granddaughter’s Sisbén registration, Darily found herself drawn into a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention workshop. Through this experience, she discovered newfound strength and resilience, eventually participating in entrepreneurship workshops that equipped her with the skills needed to thrive in styling and hairdressing.
“I am a stylist. I started as an empirical. A friend helped me to learn, and over time, I became independent myself. I have been doing this work for more than five years,” says Darily.
Similarly, Florineth’s story embodies the spirit of perseverance amidst adversity. Forced to leave her daughters behind in Venezuela in search of economic opportunities, Florineth’s journey was marked by unforeseen challenges, including a diagnosis of lupus that left her bedridden for eight months. Despite these setbacks, she found solace and support through Mercy Corps’ VenEsperanza program, which enabled her to establish herself as a successful beautician in Cartagena. Florineth dreams of opening a training center for women to share her knowledge and skills with others seeking to get ahead under challenging situations.
Florineth was forced from Venezuela and is now an inspiring voice for other women in Cartagena. Photo: Mercy Corps Colombia
“I have projections, and obviously, I want to move forward. Thanks to the VenEsperanza program and Mercy Corps today, I can say that I am already at another level of strengthening my entrepreneurship, and I know my capabilities. That allows me to develop my business on another collective level,” she says.
Today, Darily and Florineth’s stories serve as beacons of hope for those forced to leave their own countries. Their resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit inspire countless others to join in a collective movement, reaffirming the importance of compassion, solidarity, and support in times of crisis.
Mercy Corps strengthened its humanitarian response and will work through 2026 to ensure that the humanitarian needs of those who continue to arrive are met and to promote socio-economic integration between Colombians and Venezuelans.