Colombia

Photo: Susana Vera for Action Against Hunger, Colombia
Population
48.2 million
Human Development Index
95 (out of 188 countries ranked)
Our Team
290 employees
Program Start
1998
People Helped in 2020: 213,157
32,910
People Reached by Nutrition and Health Programs
80,606
People Reached by Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programs
86,569
People Reached by Food Security and Livelihoods Programs
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 continues to face multiple crises related to migration, conflict, and structural poverty. The implementation of the peace accords is at risk, and assassinations of social leaders, mainly in rural areas, have increased. In addition, the vulnerability of 1.8 million migrants from Venezuela has increased due to pandemic restrictions, and their livelihoods have been affected, especially in border areas and urban contexts.
Eight out of ten families in vulnerable situations cannot meet their basic needs. Due to pandemic-related lockdowns, many formal and informal jobs were affected. It’s estimated that the number of unemployed people reached five million, with migrants – among whom the unemployment rate grew by six points – especially affected by this contraction of the economy.
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In 2020, Action Against Hunger supported 213,157 people in Colombia, increasing our coverage by 59.4% compared to 2019. We focused on health and nutrition assessments, the delivery of micronutrients, and treatment for malnutrition. Our teams also worked to stop the spread of COVID-19 through the delivery of hygiene supplies and by raising awareness of prevention measures. We also distributed food
and multi-purpose cash transfers to families in need.