Colombia: Impacts on the Humanitarian Sector and Attacks on the Medical Mission - Humanitarian Access Snapshot 2024 and Access Strategy for 2025

Key Data

• During 2024, Colombia faced significant challenges in humanitarian access, with restrictions affecting both humanitarian personnel and communities, limiting their access to essential goods and services. Approximately 208 events related to these restrictions were recorded, impacting more than 277,500 people.
• The province of Cauca was the most affected, accounting for 24% of the events. The intensification of the armed conflict and armed actions against the civilian population and protected assets aggravated the situation.
• Cauca, Chocó, Norte de Santander, Nariño, and Caquetá accounted for 65% of humanitarian access events. Although there was a 13% reduction in the number of restrictions compared to 2023, the severity of the cases prevented a significant improvement in humanitarian access.
• In 2024, there was a 15% increase in vehicle theft belonging to humanitarian organizations and medical missions. Furthermore, 75% of the national territory experienced restrictions to humanitarian access, reflecting a complex and widespread scenario across the country.
• In 2025, the capacities of Local Coordination Teams will be strengthened to respond to the growing needs for humanitarian access. This requires enhanced coordination between humanitarian actors and the State, aligning actions with regional priorities. OCHA and the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) will lead three strategic lines of action: (1) Knowledge Management, (2) Reporting and Analysis (security and context), and (3) Access to Basic Services and Protection, while integrating governance and advocacy across all areas, to ensure humanitarian access for communities and humanitarian personnel.