Colombia: Millions Now Living in Conflict Zones

“The hope for peace, which was so strong during my visit to Colombia 10 years ago, is fading, especially in rural areas. Violence in Colombia has since then reached devastating levels, just as before the 2016 peace deal…

… Current peace efforts by all parties to the conflict must urgently prioritise ending the violence, and protecting victims. The chance to restore peace is slipping away,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC on a visit to areas of conflict in the country this week.

Armed groups present across rural areas deploy a range of tactics to dictate and control the lives of people, including preventing them from leaving their communities, a situation known as “confinement”. 

In the first half of this year, killings, intimidation, landmines, and crossfire prevented nearly 65,000 people from leaving their confined areas.

The expansion of non-state armed groups and armed clashes has led to a 20 per cent increase in people living in such confinement in 2024 compared with the previous year, rendering victims of the conflict ‘invisible’ or impossible to reach with humanitarian aid. 

An indigenous community made up of wooden houses located on the shores of one of the rivers from Antioquia, on the Colombian Pacific Coast. Photo: Elegante Lab/NRC
 
Schools are increasingly battlegrounds, and tens of thousands of children have had their education suspended due to armed conflict. Since January 2022, nearly 30,000 students have been engulfed by armed violence.

This includes direct and indirect attacks on schools, the take-over of schools by armed groups, and the forced recruitment of children. National and local authorities must make every effort to realise their commitment to ensure safe schools.

“Families I met this week spoke of how difficult peace now seems as armed actors increasingly dominate their lives. While the Government of Colombia has done much to promote peace and support the victims of conflict, what I saw this week underscores the extraordinary threats communities still face from armed actors, and the desperate need for stability,” said Egeland.

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC on a visit to areas of conflict in the country | Photo: Jess Wanless/NRC

Colombia remains among the top four countries with the highest number of internally displaced persons. Around 5.1 million people were internally displaced as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia at the end of 2023.

The rampant violence is also hurting refugees and migrants trying to rebuild their lives or transit north. Vast numbers of people cross Colombia seeking safety and opportunities in North America or Mexico, often passing through the Darien Gap. 

“Protecting the tens of thousands who risk their lives crossing these migratory routes must also be a priority for the Colombian and other Latin American governments that have promised to do so in the Cartagena Declaration and the upcoming Chile Plan of Action,” said Egeland.

“The humanitarian situation in Colombia and for refugees and migrants requires an increase in funding from international donors for both civilians blighted by conflict, and to support refugees and migrants who are trying to integrate here. While needs explode we have reduced funding for our work here. The scale of suffering caused by the conflict in Colombia is vast, and civilians must not be forgotten.” 

Learn more:

• 293,000 people were forcibly displaced during 2023 in Colombia – more than 800 people daily (IDMC). Around 5.1 million people were living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia at the end of 2023 (IDMC).

• 4.9 million Colombians were living in areas where non-state armed actors are present in 2021; today nearly 8.4 million Colombians continue to live in areas where non-state armed actors are present (UN OCHA)

• The number of people in confinement continues to rise. From January to July 2024: 64,820, while in the same period of 2023: 51,613 (UN OCHA).

• According to NRC information, in the first six months of 2024, the lives of more than 5,500 students, teachers and other school workers were affected by crossfire, threats, landmines and the occupation or use of schools as military bases. Attacks on education were reported in nine of the country’s 32 departments.

• Colombia hosts the third largest number of people in need of international protection. According to the UN, over 2.8 million Venezuelans are being hosted in Colombia. According to UN (R4V 2024) 2.1 million refugees, migrants and host communities are in need of humanitarian assistance. 

• A record number 520,085 refugees and migrants trekked through dangerous Darien Gap, connecting Panama and Colombia, in 2023.

• Nearly 187,000 refugees and migrants have crossed the Darien Gap in 2024, this includes 122,600 Venezuelans – 65% of all arrivals to Panama through the Darien are Venezuelan nationals. Other nationalities include 12,800 Ecuadorians, 12,000 Colombians, 10,000 Chinese, 10,000 Haitians among many others. 
• Out of the 236 M USD requested for the 2024 Colombian humanitarian response plan, only 30% has been funded. The 2023 plan ended just 40% funded while the 2022 plan was 43% funded, and the 2021 plan was 49% funded. 
• Aid agencies have requested $575 US million dollars (R4V-Colombia) to address the needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia. Humanitarian actors have received and reported 14 out of every 100 dollars requested to date.