In Venezuela, women are exposed to multiple forms of violence in their communities and in the private and public sphere. Most of the victims of violence cannot access attention or accompaniment, as there are few community-level organisations capable of receiving complaints and handling them appropriately. Further, this is intensified by the lack of safe places, shelters, adequate community spaces and service delivery infrastructure.

With the project "Without Border 2021 – Improving access to sexual and reproductive health and protection services for people affected by the Venezuelan crisis in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela", funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), COOPI, in collaboration with local organisations with a recognised presence in the area, aims to consolidate a platform of assistance support and accompaniment through improved access to sexual and reproductive health services, the strengthening of "safe spaces", especially for survivors of gender-based violence and women in particularly vulnerable conditions, and improved access to drinking water and hygiene through the rehabilitation of training centres on hygiene practices and the delivery of targeted kits.

The project aims to provide assistance to over 14,000 women, men and children in vulnerable situations in the central regions of the country.

Cover photo: Maureen Riveros, in Cúa Edo, Miranda