On the Ground: The World Must Not Look Away From Colombia
Violence in northern Colombia has displaced more than 50,000 people. Hear from Project HOPE’s program director on the ground about how the crisis has impacted families across the region.
On January 16, violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region escalated in a way that had not been seen in more than 20 years. In the weeks since, violent clashes between armed groups have forced more than 50,000 people from their homes and trapped another 21,000 in their communities.
Entire communities are besieged by armed groups. Families are unable to leave and cannot receive essential health services or basic necessities. Even medical missions are under attack: ambulances ambushed; health workers threatened. The risk is not only for displaced communities, but also for those trying to help them.
Violence in Colombia: What to Know
52,000
people displaced by recent violence in Colombia
27,000
people are in lockdown or under mobility restrictions
122,000
people are in need of humanitarian assistance
As Project HOPE’s Program Director in Colombia, every day, my team and I work to address this humanitarian crisis that is as complex as it is heartbreaking. Here in Norte de Santander, in the municipalities of Villa del Rosario, Cúcuta, and Convención, we are witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of displacement and conflict on vulnerable communities.
Since the beginning of this crisis, we have been there, listening to the stories of those forced to flee. Families arrive with nothing: no documents, no clothes, no belongings, only the trauma of leaving behind everything they knew. Their anxiety, their uncertainty, their pain — it all becomes part of us. They share their experiences: the killing of loved ones, kidnappings, the murder of community leaders, and violent expulsion from their homes. As humanitarians, we are deeply moved by their suffering, but we must also stay strong and find ways to support them amidst the chaos.
One of our first tasks was to welcome displaced people. At the main stadium in Cúcuta, our team worked tirelessly to support the census taking — gathering information, identifying needs, and helping to ensure that no one was left behind. Through coordination with local health institutions, we were able to deliver much-needed medicines, hygiene kits, and birthing kits for pregnant women. But the need is overwhelming, and resources never seem to be enough.
We continue to provide all the support we can — including primary health care, gynecological services, and mental health support — but we are constantly reminded that our efforts, while crucial, are not enough. People call us every day, desperate for medical assistance, for protection, for the most basic needs. And every day, we try to coordinate with other organizations, trying to bridge the gaps, trying to make sure that no one is left behind.
Families arrive with nothing: no documents, no clothes, no belongings, only the trauma of leaving behind everything they knew. Their anxiety, their uncertainty, their pain — it all becomes part of us.
A few weeks ago, the violence escalated. Explosions rocked the municipalities of Cúcuta and Villa del Rosario. Armed groups planted explosives near the very shelters where displaced families are staying. Police stations and toll booths were attacked. The conflict is no longer limited to rural areas, but has reached urban centers, putting even more lives at risk. The mayor of Cúcuta declared a curfew, urging everyone to stay at home. The tension is palpable, the fear suffocating.
Even in these desperate times, we do not give up. Every life we help, every person we comfort, reminds us why we are here. But the challenges are immense.
The world must not look away. These people, these families, need more than our presence. They need real, sustained support. Until that happens, we will continue to stand by them, doing all we can in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Monica Hoyos is Project HOPE’s Program Director in Colombia.
