Colombia

Since the installation of the Colombian Government over a year ago, significant policy strides have been made. The Government has demonstrated a proactive commitment to advancing Total Peace efforts by fostering dialogues and ceasefires with some non-State armed groups (NSAGs).

Despite these commendable efforts, Colombia still grapples with overlapping persistent humanitarian challenges. Especially in areas affected by internal armed conflict and ongoing disasters which has constrained State presence and capacity.

While some progress has been made in reduction in violence from armed confrontations because of cease-fire agreements, concerns about child recruitment, gender-based violence, landmine contamination, displacement, mobility and access restraints persist in areas affected by the presence of NSAGs. Current trends suggest the continuation of mass emergencies and related humanitarian needs in the coming year.

In an effort to further build up on communities’ resilience, in March 2024, the Government of Colombia and the UN launched a Humanitarian Response Plan for Community Priorities, which is aligned with OCHA’s Flagship Initiative. The Initiative aims to redesign humanitarian response informed and shaped by the communities themselves. For 2024, the plan intends to address the most critical needs of 1.7 million people.

The RPCP is the outcome of the collaborative effort of communities, state institutions, and UN and partners who make up the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to respond to communities’ priorities in the context of armed conflict and disasters exacerbated by climate change.
 

In 2024,  8.3 million people – more than half of them women— require urgent assistance. At least 23 per cent of these people (1.9 million) are from ethnic communities. In addition, Colombia hosts some 2.9 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees, who, despite progress achieved through the Temporary Protection Permit issued by the Government, still need support. 

The UN and partners need US$332 million for the Humanitarian Response Plan for Community Priorities, to provide humanitarian assistance to 1.7 million people facing the most critical needs. The plan aims to assist those who have lost their homes or lands and do not have dignified shelter, as well as those who have been forcibly displaced or confined, lost their livelihoods and face unemployment, hunger, and poverty. It will aim to prioritize people from ethnic groups, women, children, and youth. The HCT will strategically align its response around four priorities: emergency response; monitoring and protection; prevention, preparedness, and anticipatory action; and alignment with peace and development efforts.