Latest updates on country situation
04 March 2024
Despite a slight improvement in violence indicators, Colombia continues to grapple with humanitarian challenges. In January 2024, 12,600 individuals experienced displacement or forced confinement, primarily in the west. Of these, 8,600 were confined (69%) and 3,900 displaced (31%). Chocó witnessed the highest confinement rates, with up to 35,000 affected individuals in 2023. In Caquetá, 36,000 individuals faced mobility restrictions because of an armed strike earlier in 2024. Confrontations among armed groups and with state forces remain the primary cause of displacement and confinement. The affected populations, particularly those confined, urgently require access to food and protection from violence. (OCHA 01/03/2024, Radio Nacional 15/02/2024)
05 February 2024
In the northern Colombian department of La Guajira, 77% of rural households do not have access to clean drinking water and WASH services, putting them at a higher risk of contracting waterborne diseases and diarrhoea. In 2024, 260,000 people are estimated to require food assistance in the department, with 46% (120,000) coming from indigenous communities. These groups require humanitarian assistance in accessing food, drinking water, and WASH services. (OPS et al. 05/02/2024; FSC/Nutrition Cluster 03/01/2024)
29 January 2024
According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management of Colombia, wildfires, floods, displacement, and water shortages affected over 100,000 people in January 2024. The disaster unit attributed the natural hazards to the warmer temperatures generated by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Affected people require access to healthcare services (in response to the heat-related health emergencies resulting from warmer temperatures), fresh drinking water, and shelter. (UNGRD 29/01/2024, ERCC accessed 01/02/2024, El Colombiano 26/01/2024)
17 January 2024
At least 520,000 migrants and refugees entered the Darien Gap in Colombia and crossed to Panama in 2023, the highest number to date. Most of them crossed in August (81,946) and September (75,268). One-fourth (113,180) were minors, a high percentage of whom were under five years old and many of whom were unaccompanied. More than half of the total came from Venezuela (328,650), followed by Ecuador (57,250), Haití (46, 422), and China (25,565). To 90% of these migrants and refugees, the start and end points for crossing the Darien Gap were the town of Acandí in northeastern Colombia and the towns of Bajo Chiquito and Lajas Blancas in southern Panama. Their main needs in 2023 were access to WASH services, protection, education, food, and health assistance. (UNICEF 11/01/2024, MSF 1/09/2023, Govt. Panama 16/01/2024)
06 December 2023
In early November 2023, flooding affected more than 12,000 people in northern and central Colombia. The town of Maicao in La Guajira department near the northern border with Venezuela recorded the highest number of people affected (4,852). The affected population requires immediate assistance in the form of food, shelter, and clothing. (OCHA 05/11/2023, LGH 06/11/2023)
06 December 2023
On 13 September 2023, the closure of mining operations in Venezuela by the armed forces forced over 1,000 people to relocate to Colombia. They settled close to the border in Inirida city, Guainía department. Since December 2022, more than 4,000 IDPs have also come to Inirida and surrounding areas. The affected population requires shelter, drinking water, and food assistance. (ACH et al. 06/12/2023)
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)
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.
COL001 - Complex crisis
Last updated 31/01/2024
Drivers
Socio-political
Conflict
Violence
Floods
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
4 High
Access constraints
3.0
COL002 - Venezuelan refugees
Last updated 31/01/2024
Drivers
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.7 High
Access constraints
2.0
REG002 - Venezuela Regional Crisis
Last updated 28/11/2023
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
3.9 High
Access constraints
4.0
Analysis products
on
Colombia
07 March 2024
Colombia: food security crisis in Vichada department
DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB
Vichada department is facing a critical food security crisis, with climate change and the El Niño phenomenon affecting local food production and availability. Poor infrastructure, hindering access to public services, and the reliance on traditional farming methods, hampering farmers’ ability to sell their produce and generate income, have deepened the crisis.
20 February 2024
Colombia: anticipated impact of wildfires
DOCUMENT / PDF / 645 KB
Since the start of January 2024, multiple wildfires have raged in a number of Colombia’s departments. As at 26 January, the fires had ravaged approximately 17,000 hectares, with no information available on the number of people injured.
Attached resources
12 February 2024
Colombia: humanitarian impacts in Amazonas department
DOCUMENT / PDF / 4 MB
This report aims to explain elements necessary to understanding the humanitarian crisis in Colombia’s Amazonas department, with a specific focus on the impacts on the indigenous population.
Attached resources
24 January 2024
Colombia: impact of El Niño on Magdalena Medio region
DOCUMENT / PDF / 424 KB
Since August 2023, below-average precipitation resulting from El Niño has affected Colombia’s Caribbean and Andean regions, as well as some departments in the Pacific and eastern areas. Temperature and precipitation anomalies are expected to continue during the first quarter of 2024.