Statement by Giovanni Rizzo, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) country director for Colombia, on the new forced displacement of over 18,000 people in the north-east of the country:
“The reactivation of clashes between organised armed groups in north-eastern Colombia has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, exacerbating a decades-long humanitarian crisis. To urgently alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, three key aspects are needed: the implementation of the early warning system recommendations, unimpeded humanitarian access, and humanitarian funding in the country.
“Early warnings issued by the Ombudsman's Office, which indicate imminent risks to civilians amid armed conflict, should be the backbone of planning for all levels of government in Colombia. The recent crisis in Catatumbo had already been flagged by the warning system, but even so, today thousands of people have fled their homes and dozens have died. Failing to respond to these critical alerts perpetuates the vulnerability of civilians and undermines efforts to prevent the worst impacts of the conflict. According to early warnings, the number of people forced to flee their homes could continue to increase in north-eastern Colombia; currently, civilians in the municipalities of Convención and Hacarí continue to be at risk of displacement.
“When thousands of people are forced to flee their homes and hundreds cannot move freely due to violence, access to humanitarian assistance is vital. People in this region have called for more presence and support from the government and the international community to ensure their safety and access to emergency assistance. However, organised armed groups have restricted humanitarian access. This has left the population feeling that their needs are being neglected. It is essential that all parties to the conflict provide access for aid and humanitarian actors, to alleviate the suffering of civilians.
“Furthermore, binational humanitarian response is also crucial. Neighbouring Venezuela has reported assistance to more than 800 displaced people. Authorities have set up humanitarian assistance points in the border states of Zulia and Táchira.
“It's necessary that both the national and local government provides enough funding and guarantee institutional presence in rural areas to prevent harm, ensure humanitarian assistance, and guarantee long-term solutions for those affected by the conflict. Considering that the situation has already overwhelmed government capacities, the international community must step in to continue to complement the response and provide additional humanitarian funding, which is vital to alleviate people's suffering.”
Notes to editors:
- Since the 17th of January, more than 80 people have been killed, and thousands have been forced to flee in and out of Colombia.
- Schools are closed indefinitely as classrooms now house families displaced by the violence.
- Around 5.1 million people are living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia (IDMC).
- Nearly 8.4 million Colombians continue to 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.
- NRC is currently supporting government institutions with the registration of the displaced population. In addition, NRC is providing food, drinking water and hygiene kits and it is starting 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
“The reactivation of clashes between organised armed groups in north-eastern Colombia has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, exacerbating a decades-long humanitarian crisis. To urgently alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, three key aspects are needed: the implementation of the early warning system recommendations, unimpeded humanitarian access, and humanitarian funding in the country.
“Early warnings issued by the Ombudsman's Office, which indicate imminent risks to civilians amid armed conflict, should be the backbone of planning for all levels of government in Colombia. The recent crisis in Catatumbo had already been flagged by the warning system, but even so, today thousands of people have fled their homes and dozens have died. Failing to respond to these critical alerts perpetuates the vulnerability of civilians and undermines efforts to prevent the worst impacts of the conflict. According to early warnings, the number of people forced to flee their homes could continue to increase in north-eastern Colombia; currently, civilians in the municipalities of Convención and Hacarí continue to be at risk of displacement.
“When thousands of people are forced to flee their homes and hundreds cannot move freely due to violence, access to humanitarian assistance is vital. People in this region have called for more presence and support from the government and the international community to ensure their safety and access to emergency assistance. However, organised armed groups have restricted humanitarian access. This has left the population feeling that their needs are being neglected. It is essential that all parties to the conflict provide access for aid and humanitarian actors, to alleviate the suffering of civilians.
“Furthermore, binational humanitarian response is also crucial. Neighbouring Venezuela has reported assistance to more than 800 displaced people. Authorities have set up humanitarian assistance points in the border states of Zulia and Táchira.
“It's necessary that both the national and local government provides enough funding and guarantee institutional presence in rural areas to prevent harm, ensure humanitarian assistance, and guarantee long-term solutions for those affected by the conflict. Considering that the situation has already overwhelmed government capacities, the international community must step in to continue to complement the response and provide additional humanitarian funding, which is vital to alleviate people's suffering.”
Notes to editors:
- Since the 17th of January, more than 80 people have been killed, and thousands have been forced to flee in and out of Colombia.
- Schools are closed indefinitely as classrooms now house families displaced by the violence.
- Around 5.1 million people are living in internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence in Colombia (IDMC).
- Nearly 8.4 million Colombians continue to 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.
- NRC is currently supporting government institutions with the registration of the displaced population. In addition, NRC is providing food, drinking water and hygiene kits and it is starting 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