Conflict in Colombia’s Norte de Santander department has led to rapidly escalating humanitarian needs among host and displaced communities across the country, Project HOPE warns. As violence expands to Cúcuta and Villa del Rosario this week, where detonated explosives mark an alarming escalation, these communities are experiencing the worst unrest in years. A new assessment found that the conflict between rival groups has caused 122,000 people to be dependent on humanitarian aid in the Cúcuta, Ocaña, and Tibú regions.
The assessment was conducted with the Local Coordination Team (ELC) of Norte de Santander and the Interagency Group for Mixed Migration Flows (GIFMM) and discovered that access to health care was the most urgent need for at-risk communities including migrants, pregnant women, and children.
Key Findings from Needs Assessments
- 122,000+ people in critical need of humanitarian aid across Cúcuta, Ocaña, and Tibú. Multiple municipalities are experiencing “critical” or “catastrophic” categories of severity for their level of humanitarian needs.
- 36% of people surveyed in shelters indicated there were no health services available in their area, this included a lack of infrastructure, medical personnel, and essential medicines.
- High risk of disease outbreaks due to overcrowding and lack of clean water. Vector-borne diseases are also a concern, with disease-carrying insects or animals found in nine out of 11 locations (82%). A location in Tibú reported cases of Leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection transmitted by sandflies.
- Water shortages, inadequate sanitation, and limited hygiene facilities were major concerns in shelters, with only 36% of shelters surveyed reporting that sufficient water was available and 20% reporting insufficient water access.
Monica Hoyos, Project HOPE’s Program Director in Colombia, said:
“Violence has been relentless. The humanitarian crisis in Catatumbo has reached catastrophic levels. More than 52,000 people have fled their homes, while another 21,000 remain either locked down or under travel restrictions. Hospitals are at their breaking point – facing critical shortages of medicine and staff while battling outbreaks of dengue, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Our team has reported an increase in children, pregnant women, and indigenous communities in need of critical support. While we continue to provide health care consultations and mental health support, we need sustained funding to meet the growing needs. We urgently need to continue coordinated efforts to deploy mobile medical services, strengthen mental health support, and address severe water and sanitation deficiencies. Without immediate intervention, the crisis will only deepen, and impact more of the displaced population.”
Project HOPE first worked in Colombia from 1995 to 1998 to establish a regional emergency medical system in coordination with local government, health facilities, and university partners. Since 2018, our team has worked to support the health needs of migrants, refugees, and host communities in high-transit areas, with a focus on areas along the Venezuela-Colombia border and the Norte de Santander department. Since 2019, Project HOPE has worked in Cúcuta and Villa del Rosario to address the reproductive and maternal health needs of migrant women and girls, working with health facilities and partners to establish a continuum of care for women and girls seeking urgently needed services. In 2024, Project HOPE expanded its support for migrants, refugees, and host communities in Colombia by launching a comprehensive primary health; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and protection program in Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario, and Convención.
Notes to Editors:
– The Multi-Sector Rapid Needs Assessment (MIRA) was conducted from January 24 to January 29, 2025, by the Local Coordination Team (ELC) and the Interagency Group for Mixed Migration Flows (GIFMM), with support from Project HOPE and other humanitarian partners. The assessment took place in 34 shelters throughout Cúcuta, Ocaña, and Tibú. There were over 520 participants, including men, women, children, and adolescents to gather qualitative insights on humanitarian needs.
