A girl carries her child at Casa de Paso, a church charity offering people free meals and basic medical aid in Cucuta, Colombia, on June, 26th, 2018.

CRS and partner organizations Caritas and the Social Action Commission of the Bishop's Conference (CEAS) respond to people’s needs by offering up to 8000 free meals every day in the border town as part of the Catholic Church’s program to face the crisis.

Migrants receive food, health care and a temporary shelter.

Since 2015 Venezuelans' mass migration to Colombia progressively increased. According to Colombia's migration authority, the number of foreigners entering Cucuta, the first major city across the border bridge, is around 150,000 people each month. Migrants start their long journey lasting over three months, often by foot, to Peru, Chile and Brazil in search of a new life and job opportunities, fleeing their country as President Nicolas Maduro consolidates autocratic power, and food and medicine run out. CRS is working with our partners on the emergency response.

Photo by Nicolò Filippo Rosso for Catholic Relief Services