Attachments
Executive Summary
A severe humanitarian crisis has erupted following the intensification of violence and subsequent mass displacement of civilians in the Catatumbo region in Colombia’s Norte de Santander department. Since January 15, 2025, there has been increased conflict between rival armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). As a result of this escalating violence, at least 80 people have been killed, more than 52,000 have been displaced, over 8,000 remain in lockdown, and 19,000 are under mobility restrictions due to the conflict. Colombia’s president declared a “state of internal commotion” in Catatumbo on January 22, 2025 in response to the violence and has dispatched thousands of soldiers to the region. Ongoing peace negotiations with the ELN have been suspended and the situation is expected to continue to deteriorate.
Local health systems are heavily impacted, with facilities overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people in need of health services and subsequent shortages of essential medical supplies. The Colombian Departmental Health Institute (IDS by its Spanish acronym) has declared a yellow hospital alert, mobilized response teams, and is coordinating with national and international humanitarian partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
There has been a continued increase in outbreaks of dengue fever, malaria, hepatitis A, diarrhea, and other infectious diseases in municipalities throughout the region, increasing the need for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support. Further disease outbreaks are expected given poor sanitary conditions and the concerning increase in uncontrolled disease vectors, including mosquitos, mice and cockroaches. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services are also needed as many displaced men, women, and children have undergone intense psychological distress as a result of the situation and are in need of MHPSS services to prevent this crisis from causing long-term mental health issues. The humanitarian response to these escalating needs is currently hindered by access difficulties, including limited infrastructure, the presence of non-state armed groups, landmines, and unexploded ordinance.
Project HOPE is working to meet health and humanitarian needs throughout the Catatumbo Region by providing health care consultations, distributing non-food item (NFI) kits, and providing MHPSS services to displaced populations. Continued collaborative efforts between government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and local partners will be critical to ensuring a timely, effective, and sustainable response to this ongoing crisis. To ensure that response efforts continue to address the most critical needs and reach the most vulnerable populations in areas of need, Project HOPE has conducted multiple recent needs assessments. These assessments include participation in the Multi-Sector Rapid Needs Assessment (MIRA), led by the Local Coordination Team (ELC) of Norte de Santander and the Interagency Group for Mixed Migration Flows (GIFMM) in the areas of Tibú, Ocaña, and Cúcuta. Project HOPE has also undertaken additional assessments in the affected municipalities of Tibu, Abrego, and Convención — including key actor interviews and focus groups — to assess existing services and the severity of health, MHPSS, and WASH needs among those affected by this crisis.
Assessments found that more than 122,000 people are in need across the surveyed locations, with multiple municipalities experiencing “critical” or “catastrophic” categories of severity for their level of humanitarian needs. Access to health care was found to be a priority need and insufficient health coverage was identified as a significant concern across all assessments and locations, due to a lack of infrastructure, personnel, medicines, and supplies. Reduced access to health care was found to be causing significant health concerns, particularly among groups in vulnerable positions, including migrants who have not yet regularized their stay, populations experiencing movements restrictions due to the conflict, children, and pregnant women. The municipality of Tibú is heavily impacted by this health crisis, with the Indigenous and rural population especially affected.
The risk of disease outbreaks is a key concern, with overcrowding and lack of access to clean drinking water leading to an increase in infectious disease transmission among displaced and otherwise vulnerable populations. The presence of disease vectors at the majority of assessed shelter locations also elevates concerns over the spread of vector-borne diseases. Mental health needs have also increased, with a lack of MHPSS services and providers available to meet the heightened demand. WASH limitations were also found at shelter locations, including insufficient water availability, insufficient or inadequate sanitation facilities, and an insufficient supply of hygiene facilities and items.
The MIRA and Project HOPE’s assessments provide further information on the specific needs of those living through this severe humanitarian crisis and will allow humanitarian actors to develop intervention strategies designed to meet the identified needs. Project HOPE recommends the development of programming to improve health, MHPSS and WASH support, including mobile medical units, integration of MHPSS services into existing primary health services, water supply rehabilitation, and rapid procurement of essential medicines and hygiene items.