In support of the Colombian government's efforts to promote the regularization of migration status, affiliation to the Health System and vaccination - regular and against COVID-19 - of the Venezuelan and Colombian national population, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is promoting the #Actívate strategy, an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) initiative in health.

Since August of this year, through this strategy, educational meetings with a psychosocial approach have been held. In the workshops, leaders of the Community Health Networks of 20 municipalities strengthen their knowledge about the Temporary Statute of Protection for Venezuelan Migrants (ETPV), the General System of Social Security in Health (SGSSS) and the Expanded Program of Immunization (PAI), and vaccination against COVID-19.

This strategy is carried out with the financial support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the United States Department of State, the Stabilization and Peace Fund of the European Union in Colombia and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation in Colombia (AECID).

In Bogotá, 77 community leaders are using health days, direct contact with people, and self-made materials (videos, games, and memes) to disseminate messages encouraging regularization, affiliation, and vaccination in their communities.

"Thanks to the training we received, we have developed many materials so that we can reach out in a simple way and provide information about vaccination," says Korina Margarita Espinoza Quevedo, a Venezuelan national and leader of the Community Health Network 'Construyendo Sueños' in Bogotá.

In Ipiales and Tumaco, 38 leaders participated in this process that allowed them not only to develop messages but also to obtain educational and dissemination tools. They also articulated the strategy with other processes that the IOM has been developing, such as #ComponerParaCuidar, an initiative with which they created musical pieces with Colombian and Venezuelan rhythms related to regularization, affiliation, and vaccination.

"These workshops have been important to better understand regularization and to be able to transmit these concepts to the communities. Most of them are receptive and attend the programmed activities, which generates more motivation for us to continue training and strengthening our nationals", says Mary Jane, a Venezuelan national leader who participates in this process. 

In Tumaco, leaders say that thanks to this strategy, there has been an increase in the regularization, affiliation, and vaccination processes of Venezuelan nationals.

In the municipality of Inírida, located in the department of Guainía, the members of the Community Health Network "United for a Better Tomorrow" emphasize that the messages and pieces produced within the framework of the #Actívate strategy have allowed them to reach their community, which is mostly indigenous, in a simple way.

"With this strategy, we are looking for ways to support Venezuelan families to access the necessary orientation for regularization. I am happy to work with my community and other capitanías," says Jesús Antonia Rojas Durán, an authority in the Tierra Alta Indigenous Resguardo.

This strategy takes into account the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (SMAPS) guidelines. For example, in the regularization process, guidance is provided on mental health care routes; in affiliation, mental health in the Colombian health system is addressed; finally, in the area of vaccination, stress, and anxiety generated by the pandemic are addressed, among other topics.

Through the #Actívate strategy, leaders become agents of information, education, and communication in health to promote a positive disposition towards processes that improve the quality of life and facilitate access to health services for Venezuelan nationals and host communities.