2023
︎︎︎ Project Website
︎︎︎ Report & Executive Summary [English & Español]

Civic Data Design Lab
Sarah Williams (Director),
Alberto Meouchi (Project Manager),
Ashley Louie,
Rohun Iyer,
Jari Prachasartta, 
Gabriela Carucci,
Enrique Casillas,
Eric Lam,
Christina Chen,
Ilana Strauss,
Sylvia Jiminez,
Ethan Harrison,
Mauricio Darcourt,
Carlos Centeno

United Nations World Food Programme 
Alessandro Dinucci,
Luis Fernández,
Crescenzo Rubinetti,
Espedito Nastro

USAID BHA

Overview


Over the last three decades, 7 million Venezuelans have left their country with 500,000 immigrating to Ecuador. Many left Venezuela due to political and economic turmoil and have come to Ecuador in search of better job opportunities, food security, and access to healthcare and education.

However, a survey of 920 migrant households conducted by the United Nations World Food Programme in 2022 shows that when migrants arrive in Ecuador, they face multiple challenges. Vida Migrante: Venezuelan Migrants’ Inclusion in Ecuador, a mobile simulation, helps us understand the financial tribulations and difficult choices made by Venezuelan migrants in Ecuador. Using data from the WFP survey, Vida Migrante invites you to step into the shoes of Venezuelan migrants and live through four months of life events, opportunities, and assistance opportunities.

The survey shows that a mismatch of vocational skills and attainable careers, coupled with insufficient resources to improve the employment opportunities such as Internet and training, has led to high food insecurity. Most migrants put 90% of their income towards necessities like food, rent, and health and cannot afford to pursue opportunities such as training to improve their economic situation.

Our findings suggest that policy assistance, such as programs to regularize immigration documents, legalize Venezuelan professional accreditations, or provide significant food assistance, would alleviate financial burdens and catalyze integration into the Ecuadorian economy. In Vida Migrante, you will learn about the tough decisions migrants have to make in Ecuador on a daily basis, how they face them, and how assistances are essential to help them through their inclusion in Ecuador.

Explore the Vida Migrante simulation at: vidamigrante.migration.mit.edu.