Colombia

Introduction

Despite significant development gains in Colombia over the past decade, including the 2016 Peace Agreement with the country’s largest guerrilla group (the FARC), humanitarian needs are still rising.

The conflict in Colombia is escalating, and present now the worst humanitarian conditions of the past decade. On average, during the last months of 2025, 5,000 people were affected each day, and 9.9 million people continue to live under the influence of Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs), with disproportionate impacts in rural areas. 

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

€456 million since 1994 to date:

What are the needs?

The deteriorating situation is reflected in the recent figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In 2026, the people in severe levels of need will reach 6.9 million people, which account for a 25 % increase compared to 2025. While these figures increase, humanitarian funding has dropped. 

According to OCHA, at least 1.4 million people suffered from the humanitarian consequences of the violence and conflict in 2025. This includes forced displacement, confinements, threats, homicides, landmine explosions, and forced recruitment. Despite the intent to promote total peace, the lack of respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) has rendered the civilian population even more vulnerable, particularly in the Amazon and Pacific regions, and border areas with Venezuela and Ecuador. Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities are particularly affected.

The most vulnerable people require protection, food assistance, healthcare, education, and safe water. Besides basic needs, the situation of refugees and internally displaced people also requires protection, psychosocial and legal assistance, and the development of durable solutions. 

Displaced people

Over 7.6 million Venezuelans have fled their country since 2015, among them more than 2.9 million live in Colombia. The 2025 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) projects staggering figures such as up to 2 million people in need of assistance in Colombia, including migrants, refugees, and host communities. 

Disaster preparedness

Volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, and droughts represent another threat to people’s lives and livelihoods. As of September 2025, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), more than 700,000 people had already been affected by emergencies related to natural hazards.

How are we helping?

Colombia is one of Latin America's largest recipients of EU humanitarian aid, having received around €456 million since 1994. For 2026, the initial allocation is €17 million.

EU aid helps provide essential services such as health, protection, education, water and sanitation, and other services to vulnerable groups facing structural barriers to access. 

While assistance to populations affected by violence and armed conflict has been prioritised since 1994, the evolving context of multiple risks has prompted the EU to swiftly adapt its humanitarian aid to address the most urgent needs of vulnerable communities.

Furthermore, since 2018, the EU has allocated resources in Colombia to provide humanitarian services to the migrant population arriving in the country, including transit migrants. 

Disaster preparedness

The European Union and the Latin America and Caribbean region established a Memorandum of Understanding on disaster risk management as a new collaboration instrument. This agreement focuses on disaster preparedness and risk management, and it became effective in May 2024. Regional disaster management agencies, including the Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention (CAPRADE), have signed as parties to the agreement.

_{Last updated: 06/02/2026}

Downloads