Fleeing rampant crime and political violence, a collapsing economy, and severe shortages of food and medicines, some 1.5 million Venezuelans have arrived in Ecuador since 2016. Among them are LGBTQIA+ individuals, who face many risks, including intimate partner violence (IPV).

Response services for survivors of IPV are limited and insufficient for Venezuelans and Ecuadorians alike. For LGBTQIA+ individuals—including LGBTQIA+ refugees—the situation is especially challenging.

Through the Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance (Elrha) IPV Award, the Women’s Refugee Commission, CARE, and Mujer & Mujer are piloting the integration of CVA within gender-based violence programs to support displaced and Ecuadorian survivors of IPV, including LGBTQIA+ individuals.