Last Thursday, Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that in July 2024 the government of the United Arab Emirates will formalize the donation of 40 million dollars to finance the construction and provision of a highly complex hospital in Riohacha, as a result of the international management of President Gustavo Petro.
Foreign Minister Murillo specified during his visit to Paraguachón, La Guajira, on the Colombian-Venezuelan border that “This is a living border, very important. But, as you can see, it is not in the best condition, because there is enormous inequality.”
Likewise, he highlighted that, for this reason, “From the Foreign Ministry and the Government, we want to reach these territories with effective diplomacy that helps solve problems. As you know, we have a donation of 40 million dollars for the Riohacha hospital from the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which we hope to formalize and receive the resources towards the month of July, next month.”
Migrant aid centres
Meanwhile, the foreign minister also commented on the Paraguachón Border Support Center, stating that the objective is for these binational centers, especially the one in this town, to be operational. “We have committed to the governor and community leaders to contribute so that this binational center begins to operate as soon as possible,” he stated.
He also added that it is essential to continue with the response agenda against migratory flows, expanding the centers designated for that purpose. The chancellor recalled that “La Guajira has had a very important impact, and especially Maicao, in that sense” and there is also an Intégrate Center, which is financed with international cooperation resources.
“This centre needs to be scaled up and expanded to provide a better service. We want the regulatory measures being implemented to have a local impact.”the official explained.
These centers help migrants to reintegrate into Colombian society as much as possible or to continue with their life plans in other countries.We ask for regulation so that they can follow a path of incorporation into society, but here in these areas, and we have raised this in our discussions, we have to make more investments in regions like these, which are impacted by these migratory flows.”stated the senior official.
Finally, the foreign minister stated that it is crucial to have incentives so that border municipalities that receive a large flow of migrants have some additional allocation in the General Participation System.
