Man standing in fields holding up crops that have died

Colombia

Years of violence and conflict have displaced rural communities in this South American country.

There are multiple humanitarian crises in Colombia. Climate disasters have a huge impact and the situation in neighbouring Venezuela has caused one of the largest migration flows in the world.

Vulnerable communities in rural areas of the country have faced continuous displacement and confinement due to violence from various armed groups. With recent peace agreements, there is now a need to build stability – particularly in rural areas. This includes better economic development and the integration of ex-militants back into society.

Currently, Colombia is also dealing with a humanitarian emergency linked to the situation in Venezuela. By the end of 2019, 1.63 million people from Venezuela were living in Colombia.

Colombia is also experiencing the impacts of climate change. Natural disasters such as recurring floods are set to worsen the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Country facts

49.7m
Colombia has a population of almost 50 million people.
79
Colombia ranks 79th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index.
1.63m
By the end of 2019, 1.63 million Venezuelan migrants were living in Colombia.

Action Against Hunger’s work in Colombia

Our work in Colombia focuses on urban areas, including the capital Bogotá, and the main border areas where we support Venezuelan migrants and host communities.

Our nutrition, health, food security, and water, sanitation and hygiene programmes are a lifeline to thousands of Colombians. To make sure people have steady access to food and so they can improve their livelihoods, we deliver seed kits, food aid, and training for employment.

We’ve also prioritised health and nutrition care by working public institutions to strengthen the local infrastructure.

Our reach

115,048
We reached more than 115,000 people in Colombia through our programmes in 2019.
3,287
We provided 3,287 people with mental health support in 2019.
153
We have 153 staff based in Putumayo, Nariño, Córdoba, La Guajira.

Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Colombia

Covid-19 has further added to the country’s structural problems and exacerbated the needs of the most vulnerable people. There are concerns over hidden poverty, which also affects the middle classes, who now risk falling into poverty. Health systems are also under immense pressure as they try to cope with this new health crisis. Rural and isolated areas are some of the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

We continue to support migrant communities in Colombia by distributing food kits. We’re also monitoring the nutrition levels of children in border areas.

Our teams are also introducing disease prevention measures, including raising awareness about the virus and good hygiene practices. We’re committed to working with local authorities to disinfect health facilities, ensuring that they are as safe as possible.

woman carrying a young girl as she picks crops

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Central America

A woman tends to her fields at an Action Against Hunger project in Guatemala.

Our projects here focus on good nutrition, clean water and helping communities respond to natural disasters.

Providing food assistance

Haiti

Natural disasters, political insecurity and a lack of food have a huge impact on poor and vulnerable communities.

Increasing access to food

Peru

Despite strong economic growth during recent years, the gap in wealth between urban and rural areas of Peru is growing.

Tackling malnutrition