A/HRC/59/49/Add.1 more dangerous and adding difficulties to search and rescue operations in the event of accidents. VI. Conclusion and recommendations to foster the contributions of migrants A. Conclusions 76. The mixed migration context in Colombia is complex. Transformed into a country of origin, transit and destination, Colombia has been facing significant challenges in governing the massive arrival of migrants and refugees, mostly from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Considering migration as a permanent phenomenon and an opportunity for development, Colombia has demonstrated a strong sense of willingness and commitment to promote and protect the human rights of migrants in its migration policies. The Special Rapporteur notes with appreciation the adoption of the Colombian comprehensive migration policy, which advocates for safe and regular migration at the State level. 77. Since 2017, Colombia has made tremendous efforts through adopting different measures for the legal status regularization of Venezuelans. The Special Rapporteur pays tribute to Colombia for marking a milestone in migration governance by its launch of the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants, which granted a permit guaranteeing regular stay for 10 years, with access to healthcare, education and the right to work. Designed to offer a more structured and long-term solution for migrants, the implementation of the policy requires the investment of additional resources. 78. While the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants offers an expedited pathway to regularize the legal status of 2.5 million Venezuelans, the application process disregards the international protection needs of the applicants, raising serious concerns owing to the lack of an efficient asylum system in the country. The current asylum system faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand of requests, including resource constraints, insufficient human capacity and lack of autonomy. Lengthy processing times and lack of access to work have added to the failure to protect the rights and exacerbated the vulnerabilities of asylum-seekers. 79. With regard to the Ministry of Equality and Equity, the Special Rapporteur welcomes programmes developed to respond to humanitarian needs, ensure coordinated actions and advance the care, protection and integration of migrants and refugees in the country. However, the delay and lack of implementation of these programmes, the drastic reduction of international financial aid and the uncertainty about the Ministry’s long-term status and financial sustainability have led to serious doubts about its capacity to fulfil its mandate. It also raises concerns about risks undermining essential protections, preventing migrants’ access to vital services and exacerbating their vulnerability, in particular for those in irregular situations. 80. Significant efforts are being made at the municipality level, particularly in cities like Bogotá, Cali and Medellín, to integrate migrants and refugees into the society and to facilitate their access to education, healthcare, work and housing. In many cities, the resources required to ensure migrants’ access to economic and social rights have exceeded the financial and administrative capacity at the municipal level. This is especially the case for cities with less resources. 81. In addition to the Venezuelan community, which takes up the vast majority of the migrant and refugee population in Colombia, there are also many other nationalities from the continent and beyond, transiting through or looking for opportunities to settle in Colombia. There is no system in place for identifying protection needs and ensuring access to international human rights and refugee protection in the transit areas of international airports or at land borders. In the absence of a protection-sensitive entry system, and since all of the current regularization measures are applicable only to Venezuelans, other nationals, some with international and human rights protection 14 GE.25-06163