NRC in Colombia

This page covers our work in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama.

 
NRC's operation

We provide assistance to IDPs in rural areas where authorities struggle to provide help, and in urban environments, where the majority of Colombia’s IDPs have sought safety. We also contribute to the process of reintegration of former combatants into civilian life, and to the self-management, integration and stabilisation of the territories affected by armed conflict.

The crisis in Venezuela means that many people are seeking humanitarian aid in other countries. We are implementing a multi-country (Colombia-Panamá-Ecuador) action plan to respond. NRC is currently assisting Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Peru through our partner Encuentros – Servicio Jesuita de Solidaridad.

Education

We help displaced families keep their children in school, and work with youth and adults so they can complete their education and find safe vocational training opportunities. Despite the distancing measures imposed due to the pandemic, we continue to work with schools to reach people with educational materials and kits, identify challenges and solutions to ensure continuity of education and ensure those who are out of school are not neglected in this context.

Information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA)

NRC continues to provide reliable and up-to-date information on access to documentation. We improve access to registration procedures and legal humanitarian assistance, as well as access to land and housing for communities who have had their land or houses seized or abandoned. As many people face particular challenges in accessing their rights to housing during the pandemic, we work with justice mechanisms – from traditional and state mechanisms, to collaborative resolution mechanisms – to help resolve housing disputes and prevent evictions.
 

Shelter and settlements

Access to shelter is essential for one’s dignity, privacy, health, and physical and social protection. Our shelter and settlements teams provide access to adequate shelter solutions for affected people across all phases of displacement. This ranges from rapidly deployable emergency shelter solutions that can save lives, to supporting early recovery and promoting durable solutions.

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promotion

Without sufficient safe water for drinking and personal hygiene, it is difficult to stay healthy and combat the pandemic. We provide infrastructure and equipment for water and water treatment, as well as hygiene and sanitation kits. We also teach good hygiene practices and we help displaced families achieve better living conditions.

Livelihoods and food security

When displaced people do not have access to food supplies, NRC provides food assistance. We promote livelihood strategies that protect, restart and strengthen the ability of individuals and households to earn a living. The inclusion of host communities in this response is key to preventing discrimination and xenophobia.

Cash transfers

In times of crisis, cash-based humanitarian assistance enables people in need to buy food, hygiene products or pay rent. NRC makes electronic transfers through different means (such as smartphones or electronic payment cards) to displaced people and host communities. We also provide vouchers, coupons or cards that can be exchanged for a specific amount of goods and services.

Emergency response    

When a new conflict arises in remote locations, we provide humanitarian assistance to communities where no permanent field presence has yet been or can be established. We also help newly displaced children go to safe learning environments during acute emergencies.

Visit NRC Colombia's website in Spanish here.