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Country analysis

Colombia


Despite the Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in 2016, the country continues to face multiple challenges. Since 2020, there has been a fragmentation of armed groups and organised crime groups seeking greater territorial control of strategic areas and routes for drug-trafficking. Armed groups' struggle for territorial control has increased the number of clashes, as a result also increasing the number of displacement

and confinement events.

The migrant and refugee population in Colombia rose from less than almost 24,000 to 22.5 million. Until January 2023, more than 1.6 million Venezuelans were granted Temporary Protected Status. By the end of 2022, an estimated two million Venezuelans intending to stay in Colombia required humanitarian

assistance. The primary needs reported are access to food, shelter, housing support, and employment or income sources.  

Colombia is prone to frequent natural disasters. The rainy season (May–November) typically causes rivers to overflow, leading to road blockages, limitations to agricultural activities, and damage to crops, homes, and other infrastructure. During the dry season, forest fires are common, destroying large hectares of forest and restricting access to crops, leading to food insecurity and health concerns.

(UNHCR 30/12/2022, OCHA 29/11/2022, UNGRD 2022,

Portal Fruticola 08/11/2022, R4V 06/12/2022)

Despite the Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in 2016, the country continues to face multiple challenges. Since 2020, there has been a fragmentation of armed groups and organised crime groups seeking greater territorial control of strategic areas and routes for drug-trafficking. Armed groups' struggle for territorial control has increased the number of clashes, as a result also increasing the number of displacement

and confinement events.

The migrant and refugee population in Colombia rose from less than almost 24,000 to 22.5 million. Until January 2023, more than 1.6 million Venezuelans were granted Temporary Protected Status. By the end of 2022, an estimated two million Venezuelans intending to stay in Colombia required humanitarian

assistance. The primary needs reported are access to food, shelter, housing support, and employment or income sources.  

Colombia is prone to frequent natural disasters. The rainy season (May–November) typically causes rivers to overflow, leading to road blockages, limitations to agricultural activities, and damage to crops, homes, and other infrastructure. During the dry season, forest fires are common, destroying large hectares of forest and restricting access to crops, leading to food insecurity and health concerns.

(UNHCR 30/12/2022, OCHA 29/11/2022, UNGRD 2022,

Portal Fruticola 08/11/2022, R4V 06/12/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

08 July 2023

From January to the end of June 2023, 18,755 people have been displaced and at least 20,300 (5,825 families) have been confined throughout the country. Violence and disputes over territorial control between armed groups, FARC dissidents and criminal organisations have particularly affected the departments of Arauca, Cauca, Chocó, and Nariño. Despite the ceasefire and dialogues between armed groups and the Government, so far in 2023 there have been 89 displacement events, a minimal reduction compared to the 92 events in the same period in 2022. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations are the most affected by violence. Children and adolescents face risks of forced recruitment and sexual violence. Displaced people require food, emergency education, access to livelihoods, shelter, and protection. Humanitarian access is restricted because of armed clashes and the presence of explosive devices in some areas. (Defensoría del Pueblo 23/06/2023, Defensoría del Pueblo 10/07/2023, OCHA 20/04/2023)

28 June 2023

Between January–April 2023, 127,000 migrants (mainly Venezuelans) crossed into the Darién jungle from the municipality of Necoclí, Colombia. This figure represents an increase of five times more than the same period in 2022. Migrants in transit need shelter, protection, access to drinking water and food, and adequate hygiene and sanitation. (OCHA 20/06/2023, MSF 28/06/2023)

25 March 2023

Between 9–16 March, at least 8,819 migrants, mainly Venezuelans, crossed into the Darién jungle from the municipality of Necoclí, Colombia. This figure is an increase of 12% compared to the previous week. Migrants in transit need shelter, protection, medical services, water, and food. By the end of 2023, it is estimated that 400,000 people will have crossed the Darien jungle.
(UNHCR 20/03/2023), (R4V 25/03/2023)

current crises
in Colombia


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

COL001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 13/10/2023


Drivers

Socio-political
Conflict
Violence
Floods
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

3.0

COL002 - Venezuelan refugees

Last updated 13/10/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

3.0

REG002 - Venezuela Regional Crisis

Last updated 17/05/2023


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Colombia

Colombia: food insecurity in Alta Guajira region

27 October 2023

Colombia: food insecurity in Alta Guajira region

DOCUMENT / PDF / 770 KB

La Guajira is the Colombian department with the highest food insecurity prevalence based on 2022 estimates. In 2022, a lack of economic resources resulted in 59.7% (623,000 people) of the department’s households reducing the quantity and quality of their meals, while 17.5% (183,000 people) had at least one person going without food for at least a day.

Food security & livelihoods
Colombia: increased armed violence in Argelia, Cauca

24 October 2023

Colombia: increased armed violence in Argelia, Cauca

DOCUMENT / PDF / 389 KB

The situation in Argelia municipality, in southwestern Cauca department of Colombia, has been critical since August 2023 because of clashes between the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) and the Colombian army. The EMC is an alliance of various dissident armed groups from the demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP). 

Conflict and violence
Colombia: increase in refugee and migrant numbers in Necoclí

22 September 2023

Colombia: increase in refugee and migrant numbers in Necoclí

DOCUMENT / PDF / 901 KB

Necoclí is one of the main transit points for those heading to the Darien jungle through Acandí and Capurgana, generating problems such as overcrowding, a lack of resources, and violence in the municipality. The presence of the Gaitanist Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AGC) aggravates this situation.

DisplacementMixed migration
Colombia: the unintended impact of the Total Peace policy on armed violence

26 July 2023

Colombia: the unintended impact of the Total Peace policy on armed violence

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report provides an overview of key humanitarian crises resulting from armed conflict within 3 of the 32 departments in Colombia. It aims to inform humanitarian decision-making and programming by anticipating humanitarian needs in the departments of Antioquia, Caquetá, and Chocó.

Conflict and violence

Attached resources

Colombia: Floods in Arauca department

19 June 2023

Colombia: Floods in Arauca department

DOCUMENT / PDF / 342 KB

Since the end of March 2023, rainfall has increased in the department of Arauca. During the first days of May, the rains increased the flow of the Arauca, Caño Caranal, Cusay, and Jordán Rivers, causing them to overflow into the municipalities of Arauquita and Saravena. As at 5 June, the floods had affected more than 9,700 people. 

Natural hazards

Attached resources

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