Vida Migrante

Venezuelan Migrants' Inclusion in Ecuador

RoleProject Manager, Lead Designer, Researcher, Data Analysis.

Team and Partners
  • MIT’s Civic Data Design Lab
  • United Nations World Food Programme
Project DescriptionOver the last three decades, 7 million Venezuelans have left their country, with 500,000 immigrating to Ecuador. Driven by political and economic turmoil, these migrants seek better job opportunities, food security, and access to healthcare and education in Ecuador.

However, a survey of 920 migrant households conducted by the United Nations World Food Programme in 2022 reveals that upon arrival, migrants face numerous challenges. "Vida Migrante: Venezuelan Migrants’ Inclusion in Ecuador," a mobile simulation, provides insight into the financial hardships and difficult choices Venezuelan migrants encounter in Ecuador. Using data from the WFP survey, Vida Migrante allows participants to step into the shoes of Venezuelan migrants, experiencing four months of life events, opportunities, and assistance options.

The survey indicates a mismatch between migrants' vocational skills and attainable careers, along with insufficient resources like internet access and training to improve employment opportunities, leading to high food insecurity. Most migrants spend 90% of their income on necessities such as food, rent, and health, leaving little for training or other opportunities to enhance their economic situation.

Our findings suggest that policy assistance, including programs to regularize immigration documents, legalize Venezuelan professional accreditations, and provide significant food aid, would alleviate financial burdens and facilitate integration into the Ecuadorian economy. In Vida Migrante, you will learn about the tough decisions migrants face daily in Ecuador, how they navigate these challenges, and the critical role of assistance in supporting their inclusion and integration into Ecuadorian society.
Websitevidamigrante.mit.edu
(Web app - Desktop and Mobile)





Alberto Meouchi
2025