Active in Colombia since 1998, Action Against Hunger has worked with vulnerable communities displaced by conflict and political instability, as well as those affected by frequent natural disasters, such as recurring floods. Our long-standing activities in nutrition and health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and longer-term food security have provided life-sustaining support for tens of thousands of Colombians faced with humanitarian challenges.

Colombia’s humanitarian challenges are sizeable, with 3.5 million people displaced due to ongoing conflict, some 390,000 refugees seeking asylum, and a poverty rate of over 30%. In an encouraging move, however, Colombia’s government took the auspicious step of creating a new program in 2011 that would prioritize poverty reduction among its most at-risk communities.

That same year, intense rains led to severe flooding that affected over 3 million people across several regions, overwhelming local response capabilities. Action Against Hunger’s rapid response teams were dispatched to support the government’s efforts, distributing water storage tanks and filters, hygiene kits and equipment such as boots, hammocks and mosquito nets to thousands of affected Colombians.

Beyond our emergency response efforts, our food security, nutrition and health programs provide a range of needed services, such as emergency food distributions, supplementary nutritional support for children, training and technical assistance in bolstering production and marketing, and support for rural health posts. Our teams are committed to continuing to assist Colombia’s vulnerable communities in their quest for improved nutrition and self-sufficiency.