Press Release: Launch of the Humanitarian Response Plan for Community Priorities 2024-25

The Humanitarian Country Team and the Government of Colombia are pleased to announce the launch of the Humanitarian Response Plan for Community Priorities (RPCP). This plan is specifically designed to address the most critical needs of 1.7 million people requiring urgent humanitarian protection and assistance in a complementary and coordinated manner.

"This plan underscores our ongoing commitment to respond to the needs expressed by communities, by implementing a humanitarian response strategy grounded on their priorities and aspirations. Our objective is not only to save lives but also to enhance the resilience of communities to address emergencies," said Mireia Villar Forner, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Colombia.

For the first time, the Plan will be biannual, aligned with the flagship initiative in which Colombia was selected as one of the pilot countries alongside Niger, the Philippines, and South Sudan. This initiative seeks to prioritize communities in its actions, considering their priorities, strengthening their capacities, and leveraging their own initiatives towards sustainability. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) will strategically align its response around four priorities: Immediate Emergency Response; Monitoring and Protection; Prevention, Preparedness, and Anticipatory Action; and Articulation with peace and Development efforts.

The RPCP is the result of joint efforts between communities, local and national institutions, and the Humanitarian Country Team to determine the humanitarian assistance needs in Colombia and the priorities of communities in challenging humanitarian contexts.

"We firmly believe that without protection, there can be no recovery. Consequently, in addition to assisting affected individuals in emergency contexts, we must double efforts to prevent new risks and impacts. In this sense, coordinated work between humanitarian partners and local authorities is essential to continue contributing to risk mitigation, capacity building, awareness of various threats, and improving living conditions for vulnerable people," stated Jorge Torres, Coordinator of Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To mitigate the humanitarian needs of affected communities, it is essential to implement the Response Plan for Community Priorities (RPCP), for which a financial requirement of USD $332 million is necessary. In this regard, it is important to have the solidarity of donors and the effort of the international community to continue strengthening the guarantee of the rights of the most vulnerable.

"It's time to show that we leave no one behind, that the priorities of communities are our response and work priorities as a Country Humanitarian Team. This is how we advance in the construction of the long-awaited peace," concluded Mireia Villar Forner.