Colombia

Humanitarian context

Colombia has faced half a century of violence. The government estimates that it will take about 15 years to restore political stability and rebuild the infrastructures affected by the conflict. Society remains divided over the peace process, while old and new armed groups continue to fight for power and influence.

The main humanitarian challenges in Colombia focus on rural areas, which lack basic infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads. Many families find it difficult to find livelihoods and income-generating opportunities. Lack of adequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation is also a problem in many parts of the country. In addition, Colombia also faces the challenge of providing emergency aid to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan refugees who have sought safety and protection in the neighbouring country.

113699

BENEFICIARIES

175

WORKERS

54610

WATER AND SANITATION

7331

NUTRITION

EXPATRIATE

172

NATIONAL

Our activity

In Colombia, the humanitarian agendas of conflict, migration and climate variability remain priorities. Three elements stand out. First, 30% of the population (15.5 million people) suffer from moderate and severe food insecurity. Second, the armed conflict continues to reveal worrying figures, with more than 539,000 people facing restrictions on mobility and access to basic services. Third, Colombia is the country that hosts the largest number of Venezuelan migrants and refugees (2.89 million people), as a transit route to Central America and the US, with more than 520,000 people crossing the Darién Gap in 2023.

We cover 75% of the country and have reached more than 130,000 people in the sectors of health and nutrition, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene, and disaster management. This broad territorial scope allows us to understand vulnerabilities, needs and capacities across these diverse territories. Thanks to our Information and Knowledge Management Unit (IKMU), we effectively structure our humanitarian work, generating valuable knowledge as a contribution to the fight against hunger.

Among the most outstanding actions in 2023 are our Maternal and Child Health (SMI) response in the Darién region, the multiple humanitarian care responses carried out through the Emergency Response Mechanism (MIRE+) and the consolidation of the Active Economic Recovery Component (CREA) of the ADN Dignidad programme, supporting the socio-economic integration of more than 4,200 migrants and Colombians, strengthening their entrepreneurial and labour skills, with an investment of more than USD 1.5 million in seed capital.

WHERE
WE HELP

We help 24.5 million people each year. We work in 55 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, those most threatened by hunger.

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EYEWITNESSES

MARÍA CLARA: "CASH TRANSFERS SAVE LIVES. THE PROGRAMME HELPS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE FAMILIES"

Imagine having to leave your whole life behind because you fear for your safety. You flee to your neighbouring country in the hope of finding a better life, but when you arrive, there are few job opportunities and you struggle to find food. In addition, you have to deal with social discrimination. What would you do? Do you stay or do you make the perilous journey north to the United States? This is the reality faced by millions of Venezuelan migrants today as they attempt to cross the Darién Gap, the highly dangerous jungle border crossing between Colombia and Panama, with the ultimate goal of reaching the United States.

These challenges have led many to attempt to cross the Darién Gap, a perilous 160-mile trek through a rugged wilderness of jungles and mountainous terrain. According to the Colombian authorities, those who make the journey risk being victims of fraud, extortion and sexual abuse by criminal gangs operating in the area.

María Clara is one of the thousands of migrants who chose to bring her family to Colombia. Originally from the Wayúu community in Venezuela, María Clara came to Colombia in the hope of finding a source of income that would allow her and her family to live. But she found it difficult to obtain food from the moment she arrived, facing poverty, lack of job opportunities and medical care, along with the persistent risk of violence and exploitation. Sadly, her 19-month-old daughter died after falling ill, while her son suffered from malnutrition.

After moving to a UN-run care facility for Venezuelan refugees, María Clara began receiving support from ADN Dignidad, a programme led by Action Against Hunger in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council and the Norwegian Refugee Council, with funding from USAID. "Here at the shelter, they taught us about nutrition. I really didn't know how to feed my children," says Maria.

Organisations such as Action Against Hunger are trying to dissuade migrants from making this incredibly risky journey. The project has delivered cash to more than 256,000 people across Colombia, providing funds for basic needs and helping people like María Clara set up their own businesses to help finance their children's education.

"Cash transfers save lives. The programme helps extremely vulnerable families. They arrive unprotected, so this money manages to solve people's basic needs," explains María Clara.

Sara is another Venezuelan migrant currently living in Cali, Colombia. "When I received help from ADN Dignidad, I can really say that I needed that little boost. It helped me through most of the Covid-19 quarantine, for money, rent and food. I was able to move from one room to a small house." By providing cash to migrants, it makes people more likely to stay, find jobs and set up businesses. This reduces the need for families to attempt to leave Colombia and undertake the dangerous journey through the Darién Gap. Sara has integrated into Colombian society and highlights how, thanks to this programme, "Everything has improved. I am integrating with more people, people who love me. These are beautiful things that life can give you and I have experienced them here."