BACKGROUND
Country Profile
This document complements the operational plan of the IFRC country office and reflects the IFRC support provided to the Colombian Red Cross Society in agreed upon areas of focus.
Colombia is emerging from a long and violent internal conflict. Despite the peace accords of 2016, new challenges have emerged in the form of dissidence from former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other illicit armed groups, an increase in coca-leaf production, and a decrease in security and safety. The past two years have seen the assassinations of social leaders and politicians, which have led to repeated demonstrations by civil society actors in demand of justice and respect for human rights.
The socio-political context in neighbouring Venezuela has led to the mass movement of people throughout Latin America. The migration flow has led to over 1 million Venezuelans in Colombia. Norte de Santander, Guajira, Arauca and the other departments on the route to the South and Nariño (Colombian-Ecuadorian border) in the South are experiencing the impact of this human influx. A s Nariño is a conflict zone with the presence of National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), the migrant population is increasingly vulnerable.
Due to the population movement, other humanitarian issues have emerged due to human trafficking, sexual violence and exploitation, health issues, xenophobia, child labour, labour exploitation, as well as lack of access to education, health, and justice for this population. There is an extreme need for health, food security, water and sanitation services, and assistance for both Venezuelans and Colombians in the border regions and inland Colombia.