Seven days.

Folks, that's how long Cibel Ortiz, her husband and their two-month-old son Matías walked to reach safety in Colombia. After years of economic and political turmoil in Venezuela, last year the Ortiz family fled their home country to find food, jobs and hope for a better future.


"The situation in Venezuela is so awful...We left because we could not provide for Matías. We walked for seven days to reach Colombia. We suffered through rain, sun, everything."

But life in Colombia was not easy for Cibel's family. They struggled to find work, lived on the streets and Cibel's husband abandoned her and Matías when Cibel became pregnant again. She was heartbroken and alone. That's when a friend suggested that Cibel reach out to the International Rescue Committee.

The IRC launched an emergency response in Colombia in 2018 to help millions of refugees fleeing the Venezuelan crisis. Our programs empower women to boost their economic wellbeing, protect mothers and children who are most vulnerable to violence and provide families with access to health care services.

That's how Cibel met Diana – an IRC nurse who cared for Cibel throughout her final trimester. The two women became close friends and Cibel found a very special way to honor their bond:

"My baby is going to be called Diana, because of her. She has helped me so much with all my medicines and everything else. She has truly become a friend."

Today, Cibel and baby Diana are healthy and receiving postnatal care from the IRC. We've also connected Cibel with a counselor to help her process the trauma she experienced.

Thanks to the generosity of this IRC community, Cibel found her hope. But, there are still millions of other mothers caught in crises worldwide who need our support.

Ahead of Mother's Day, will you take a moment to share Cibel's story with your family and friends? Together, we can raise awareness about the struggle, strength, and support of refugee mothers everywhere.

Thank you,

Emily Martin
Director, USA Digital Fundraising
International Rescue Committee



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