PERU

Peru is a South American country that borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, and has an extensive coast along the Pacific Ocean. 

In recent years, it has seen a dramatic rise in asylum applications in (upwards of 20,000 in 2017), many fleeing the economic crisis in Venezuela. This influx of people has increased risks for violence, trafficking, and exploitation, as well as caused economic strain as families seek to make a living. 

In Peru, RET Germany has provided direct assistance to migrants and refugees through programs focused on health and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), as well as promoted their access to inclusive, quality education. 

From 2019–2020, and in partnership with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations – European Commission (ECHO) in collaboration with Plan International in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, this project met the needs of vulnerable populations, focusing on children, adolescent girls, and women affected by the current Venezuela crisis. In Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia, the project also enhanced access to health and education in emergencies (EIE).   

These actions enhanced access to inclusive and quality education to Venezuelan migrants and refugees during quarantine and promoted migrant/refugee children’s retention in schools. Our work was centered on tracking and referring mechanisms, improving school environments and infrastructure, capacity-building of the educational community to support learning during and after COVID-19, provision of distance learning, support and access to non-formal education spaces, and the delivery of Educational and/or hygiene kits to support children during COVID-19 and upon return to school.