USA for UNFPA
Colombia Delegation

CONFIRM YOUR SPOT TODAY
From February 24 to February 28, 2025, USA for UNPFA invites you to join us for a leadership delegation to Colombia, where we will visit sites in Cúcuta along the Colombia-Venezuela border.
In Cúcuta we will be able to explore UNFPA’s impactful work in maternal health, family planning services, and emergency gender-based violence response programming. We will also have the opportunity to travel by road to nearby project sites and engage with community leaders spearheading humanitarian and development efforts. Many of these programs support Venezuelean refugees in Cúcuta, ensuring they have access to essential care and opportunities to integrate with the local community.
In addition to our time in Cúcuta, the delegation will feature an optional culutural excursion in Cartagena.
Your donation of $6,500 or more today confirms your participation on this incredible trip. Your gift will directly support the lifesaving work of UNFPA’s Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office, and recognize their efforts to share impactful and memorable experiences with our delegation.

DELEGATION OVERVIEW

In recent years, violence, a lack of economic opportunities, inequality, food insecurity, and the effects of recurrent climatic shocks have generated serious humanitarian consequences and contributed to an increase in population movements in Central America. The region is an area of origin, transit and destination for people on the move. Internal displacement and arrivals of refugees and migrants of different nationalities have significantly increased.​
UNFPA has been on the ground since 1974, partnering with state organizations and local non-profits to ensure integrated sexual and reproductive health services are available for all, including those displaced by conflict. A life-cycle approach to reproductive health care delivery is promoted in Colombia, as is empowering women and young people to be proud advocates for their own health and rights.
On this delegation, we will visit along the Colombia and Venezuela border, where migrants and host communities rely on comprehensive UNFPA services. UNFPA seeks to meet these women on their journeys with the care they need and deserve, including maternal care, family planning options, and refuge from instances of gender-based violence.
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​MATERNAL HEALTH

Many women in Colombia face barriers information and comprehensive high-quality sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women in rural areas and refugees on the move. Access to skilled birth attendants and quality maternal care can be minimal, putting roughly 15-20% of pregnant women at risk of injury or death from entirely preventable causes.

 

FAMILY PLANNING

More than 50% of people who want to use contraceptive to plan their pregnancies are unable to access the care they need. The lack of contraceptive options and minimal sexual and reproductive health education in some regions is particularly harmful for young people, causing a high prevalence of teen pregnancy. UNFPA’s programs offer family planning information and education for young people on making informed choices about their own health and future.

 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Seven out of 10 women in Colombia have suffered some form of violence by their partner and 34 per cent have suffered sexual violence by a person other than the intimate partner. Girls under 15 years old are the most affected.

 

UNFPA Colombia is committed to providing quality Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services that improve the health and well-being of women, adolescents, youth, and vulnerable groups. UNFPA seeks to strengthen GBV risk mitigation and response and foster continuity of SRH and GBV care along the migratory route in Central America, with a particular focus on integration of actions to address sexual violence.  ​

TRIP ITINERARY

Monday, February 24: Travel to Cartagena, Colombia
Welcome and transfer to the hotel, check-in, and rest.
Evening (Optional): casual welcome dinner.

 

Tuesday, Feb 25 (Day 1):  Briefing and travel to Cúcuta
NOTE: Depending on schedules and flight options, delegates can opt to arrive in the morning
Late Morning: Security Briefing, UNFPA LACRO (Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office) Briefing, UNFPA Colombia Briefing
Lunch and Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cúcuta.
Evening: Flight to Cúcuta. Hotel check-in at Cúcuta.

 

Wednesday, Feb 26 (Day 2): Project Visits in Cúcuta (border of Colombia and Venezuela)
All Day: Visits to different projects providing Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender-Based Violence, and Family Planning services.
Evening: Return to the hotel in Cúcuta for rest.

 

Thursday, Feb 27 (Day 3): Continue in Cúcuta, transfer back to Cartagena
Morning: Conversations with project leaders and women and girls that we serve.
Late Lunch and Debriefing session with UNFPA and feedback; transfer to airport
Evening: Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cartagena. Settle back into the hotel in Cartagena.

 

Friday, Feb 28 (Day 4): OPTIONAL Cultural Tour
NOTE: Some delegates may head home first thing in the morning; others may stay for the cultural visit on Friday and leave either later in the evening or the next day on Saturday, depending on flights. Delegates can also choose to stay the weekend and plan their itinerary.

 

Departure back home either Friday, Feb 28, morning or evening, or Saturday, March 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to confirming my participation in the delegation?
  1. Please contact Mary Kate Chaath at mkchaath@usaforunfpa.org to express your interest in joining the delegation.
  2. Complete the Colombia Delegation Registration Form.
  3. Make your tax-deductible gift to USA for UNFPA confirming your spot on the delegation. You may make an online donation using this dedicated donation page or through your preferred method of giving (via your donor-advised fund, stock donation, or by check).
How big is the delegation to Colombia?

To ensure you can enjoy an immersive insider’s experience learning about UNFPA’s work in Colombia our delegation is limited to 15 delegates. 

How do I book my flights and accommodation?

Delegates are responsible for booking their own flights to and from Cartagena. Further flight and accommodation details will be shared with confirmed delegates in the coming weeks.

What are the estimated trip costs?

An estimate of total trip costs, including round-trip travel, accommodation, meals, ground transportation and the optional cultural tour will be shared with delegates soon. 

In addition to the costs of the delegation, we ask all delegates to make a minimum $6,500 donation towards UNFPA’s Latin America and Caribbean programs. This donation will advance the lifesaving work UNFPA’s team is providing in Latin America, as well as recognizing the tremendous effort made by the UNFPA team to plan and host our delegation. 

Are my trip costs tax-deductible?

Yes, your direct trip costs including the flight and hotel are eligible for a tax-deductible acknowledgement letter. Your donation to USA for UNFPA in support of UNFPA programs is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. 

How is my donation being used by USA for UNFPA?

Your tax-deductible contribution to USA for UNFPA will directly support UNFPA’s critical and lifesaving work providing integrated comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence interventions in Latin America.

How safe is it to travel to Colombia and the Cúcuta region?

Based on UNFPA’s guidance regarding security, logistics, and programmatic focus, Cúcuta has been identified as an ideal site to explore UNFPA’s impactful work.

Delegates will receive a security briefing from UN colleagues upon arrival to Colombia, and be provided UN sanctioned travel support throughout the trip.

Are there any visa requirements to travel to Colombia?

U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to visit Colombia for up to 90 days for tourism or business. You must have a valid passport with at least six months remaining after your departure date, and one blank visa page. You must also have proof of onward or return travel, and all documents required for your next destination.

Do I need any vaccinations before traveling to Colombia?

It is recommended to be up to date on all routine vaccines before every trip. As with any international trip, it is recommend to consult with your physician prior to travel for any recommended vaccinations. Please refer to the CDC guidelines for all suggested pre-travel vaccinations.

Should I book travel insurance?

Travel insurance is optional but recommended to safeguard your trip investment, reimburse covered emergency medical costs, and give you 24-7 access to Assistance services, among other benefits. For purchasing travel insurance, please visit https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.