Approximately 80,000 people in northeastern Colombia are now suffering the devastating consequences of armed conflict which abruptly escalated on the 16th January this year. Caught in the crossfire between organised armed groups, these communities face grave threats and urgent humanitarian needs. Protection of civilians and access for aid must be prioritised, urges the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Colombia: 30 days in limbo amid escalating armed conflict
“Colombia cannot accept this situation as the new normal. The urgent and comprehensive protection of civilians, in Catatumbo and throughout the nation, must be prioritised by the government,” said Giovanni Rizzo, the NRC's country director in Colombia.
The staggering number of people forcibly displaced in Catatumbo in just 30 days exceeds the total number of people displaced in similar circumstances nationwide throughout the entire year of 2024.
Without plans for safe return, many remain displaced, facing confusion, uncertainty, and dwindling hopes of rebuilding their livelihoods.
“To leave your roots because of war, to bury family lost to a conflict they didn't choose, this is the tragedy we face," a displaced man whose three family members were killed in the Catatumbo region in the north-east of the country, told NRC.
Thousands of lives are now also at risk as organised armed groups restrict access to vital humanitarian assistance. With food supplies exhausted, families are trapped and entirely reliant on dwindling resources. Unimpeded humanitarian access is crucial to prevent widespread suffering and a deepening crisis.
Under these dire circumstances, humanitarian aid is facing immense pressure, unable to meet all the needs of the affected population.
“We have not seen such a humanitarian on this scale in Colombia in almost 30 years. The recent government's declaration of a ‘state of internal commotion’ makes it clear: this escalating crisis requires additional international solidarity,” said Rizzo.
The humanitarian crisis in Catatumbo is also a stark and urgent reminder of Colombia's vulnerability. With a new displacement risk alert issued by the Ombudsman's Office for seven of the country's 32 departments, the threat of a far greater humanitarian crisis looms. Immediate action is critical to avert widespread suffering.
“We cannot allow this to happen. Any further escalation would unleash immense suffering, destroy communities, and extinguish hopes for a better future,” said Rizzo.
“The worsening violence serves no one's interest in the region. While the Colombian government is striving to meet its obligations, the international community should immediately mobilise substantial financial aid to save lives, not only in Catatumbo, but wherever civilians are under attack in Colombia.”
Notes to editors:
- Photos available for free use can be found here.
- Since the 17th of January, more than 52,000 people have been displaced, more than 8,000 remain confined and more than 19,000 people have mobility restrictions (OCHA). This totals nearly 80,000 people.
- A mass displacement is defined as an event where 10 or more families or 50 or more individuals are forcibly displaced within a specific timeframe due to the same armed action. In 2024, 145 such mass displacements were registered nationwide, impacting over 51,000 people (OCHA). Beyond these large-scale events, thousands more are displaced individually or in small groups due to threats, assassinations, extortion, intimidation, forced recruitment, or the risk of sexual violence.
- The Colombian government has declared a "state of internal commotion" in the Catatumbo region, citing the area's escalating humanitarian crisis and intense armed conflict. This declaration grants the executive branch emergency powers for 90 days, allowing it to bypass congressional approval to enact legislation, security measures, and tax changes aimed at addressing the crisis.
- On 21 January 2025, the Ombudsman's Office warned of escalating armed conflict between organised armed groups in seven departments, posing extreme and high risks to civilians.
- Around 5.1 million people are living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia (IDMC).
- 9.3 million Colombians live in areas where non-state armed actors are present (OCHA).
- In 2025, the international community requested $342 million to address the humanitarian needs caused by the armed conflict and disasters in the country (OCHA).
- NRC continues to support government institutions with the registration of the displaced population. In addition, NRC is providing food, drinking water and hygiene kits and providing emergency education activities.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Ana Milena Ayala Sanchez, advocacy and communication officer in Colombia: ana.ayala@nrc.no. +57 3232746021
“Colombia cannot accept this situation as the new normal. The urgent and comprehensive protection of civilians, in Catatumbo and throughout the nation, must be prioritised by the government,” said Giovanni Rizzo, the NRC's country director in Colombia.
The staggering number of people forcibly displaced in Catatumbo in just 30 days exceeds the total number of people displaced in similar circumstances nationwide throughout the entire year of 2024.
Without plans for safe return, many remain displaced, facing confusion, uncertainty, and dwindling hopes of rebuilding their livelihoods.
“To leave your roots because of war, to bury family lost to a conflict they didn't choose, this is the tragedy we face," a displaced man whose three family members were killed in the Catatumbo region in the north-east of the country, told NRC.
Thousands of lives are now also at risk as organised armed groups restrict access to vital humanitarian assistance. With food supplies exhausted, families are trapped and entirely reliant on dwindling resources. Unimpeded humanitarian access is crucial to prevent widespread suffering and a deepening crisis.
Under these dire circumstances, humanitarian aid is facing immense pressure, unable to meet all the needs of the affected population.
“We have not seen such a humanitarian on this scale in Colombia in almost 30 years. The recent government's declaration of a ‘state of internal commotion’ makes it clear: this escalating crisis requires additional international solidarity,” said Rizzo.
The humanitarian crisis in Catatumbo is also a stark and urgent reminder of Colombia's vulnerability. With a new displacement risk alert issued by the Ombudsman's Office for seven of the country's 32 departments, the threat of a far greater humanitarian crisis looms. Immediate action is critical to avert widespread suffering.
“We cannot allow this to happen. Any further escalation would unleash immense suffering, destroy communities, and extinguish hopes for a better future,” said Rizzo.
“The worsening violence serves no one's interest in the region. While the Colombian government is striving to meet its obligations, the international community should immediately mobilise substantial financial aid to save lives, not only in Catatumbo, but wherever civilians are under attack in Colombia.”
Notes to editors:
- Photos available for free use can be found here.
- Since the 17th of January, more than 52,000 people have been displaced, more than 8,000 remain confined and more than 19,000 people have mobility restrictions (OCHA). This totals nearly 80,000 people.
- A mass displacement is defined as an event where 10 or more families or 50 or more individuals are forcibly displaced within a specific timeframe due to the same armed action. In 2024, 145 such mass displacements were registered nationwide, impacting over 51,000 people (OCHA). Beyond these large-scale events, thousands more are displaced individually or in small groups due to threats, assassinations, extortion, intimidation, forced recruitment, or the risk of sexual violence.
- The Colombian government has declared a "state of internal commotion" in the Catatumbo region, citing the area's escalating humanitarian crisis and intense armed conflict. This declaration grants the executive branch emergency powers for 90 days, allowing it to bypass congressional approval to enact legislation, security measures, and tax changes aimed at addressing the crisis.
- On 21 January 2025, the Ombudsman's Office warned of escalating armed conflict between organised armed groups in seven departments, posing extreme and high risks to civilians.
- Around 5.1 million people are living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia (IDMC).
- 9.3 million Colombians live in areas where non-state armed actors are present (OCHA).
- In 2025, the international community requested $342 million to address the humanitarian needs caused by the armed conflict and disasters in the country (OCHA).
- NRC continues to support government institutions with the registration of the displaced population. In addition, NRC is providing food, drinking water and hygiene kits and providing emergency education activities.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Ana Milena Ayala Sanchez, advocacy and communication officer in Colombia: ana.ayala@nrc.no. +57 3232746021