The donation of eight ultrasound machines for use by citizens at health centers and hospitals across the city's four sub-networks, which will enable over 49,000 ultrasounds to be performed annually on pregnant women, 48% of whom are Venezuelan migrants and 52% vulnerable Colombians, is just a reference point to understand the importance of GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation) in the collaboration for advancing various projects in Bogotá.

Portal Bogotá spoke with Simón Herchen, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Sandra Borda, High Commissioner for International Relations at the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, who provided details on the 'Bogotá 2.0 Initiative', carried out by the German Cooperation for Development (GIZ) to support the District in the socio-economic integration of refugee, migrant, and displaced populations.

Borda stated, “Bogotá's strong international relations translate into daily benefits for its citizens. This time, they materialize in support for pregnant women thanks to the donation made by the German government. A city in harmony with the world is a city that benefits daily from good relations with its allies.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany confirmed, “the German government is committed to cooperation in health and migrant care, supporting institutional strengthening, economic integration, and social cohesion actions.”

Check out this post by Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán about the donation of medical equipment by the German Corporation for International Cooperation to Bogotá's public hospital network:

Hoy recibimos de la Cooperación Alemana para el Desarrollo @giz_colombia 8 ecógrafos de alta tecnología que estarán al servicio de la ciudadanía en los centro de salud y hospitales de las Subredes de Bogotá, especialmente para mujeres embarazadas migrantes y colombianas en… pic.twitter.com/ykN6av6yhs

— Carlos F. Galán (@CarlosFGalan) March 13, 2024

Herchen also mentioned that the German government is interested in other areas, thus aiming to define specific tasks with Bogotá in sustainable mobility, urban development, environmental protection, and support for a culture of peace and coexistence.

“This idea of cooperation comes because we share values with Colombia and Bogotá, especially regarding support, management, and integration of the refugee group. You have exceptionally welcomed a significant number of migrants from Venezuela; we want to support you in making this situation less difficult and in facing the challenges that migration brings,” he added.

Bogotá 2.0 Initiative

This line of international cooperation by the German government, executed through GIZ, and Bogotá aims to improve the socio-economic integration of migrants, refugees, returnees, host populations, and internally displaced persons in city localities, especially in Bosa, Kennedy, Los Mártires, and Engativá.

Bogotá 2.0 will advance actions until June of the following year; to date, it has already supported various health sector initiatives through:

• Donation of medical equipment, adding to those received today at the Bosa hospital. (4D Ultrasounds, thromboelastographs, neonatal ventilators, anti-shock suits, neonatal brain monitor, controlled hypothermia).
• Care for 14,100 people during 2022 and 2023 in sexual and reproductive health services.
• Conducting 20,000 HIV and Syphilis tests.
• Distribution of 3,000 subdermal implants for contraception, 1,200 anatomical models, and 1,200 educational kits for contraception.
• Prevention and fight against the pandemic (Covid-19) and other endemic diseases.