1.1 Colombia Humanitarian Background

1.1 Colombia Humanitarian Background

1.1 Colombia Humanitarian Background Disasters, Conflicts and Migration Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response Government Humanitarian Community Disasters, Conflicts and Migration Natural Hazards Type Occurs Comments / Details Drought No Droughts no, but Dry season yes, are common in Colombia during the year, especially, December to March. Earthquakes Yes Colombia is considered a country with a seismic risk, due to its located on the “Ring of Fire - Pacific”, areas of high seismic risk are located in the departments of Nariño, Choco, Caldas and Santander (where the town of “Los Santos” is located which is considered as the second most seismic town of the world). Epidemics Yes The variety of climates and weather phenomena influencing epidemics, especially seasonal influenzas. Other major epidemics that impact the population are HIV / AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis B and C, Dengue, Meningitis. The National Institute of Health (https://www.ins.gov.co/) issues a weekly epidemiological bulletin with epidemics in the country and how to deal with their presence. Extreme No Due to the climatic diversity in Colombia temperatures can be between 30°C on the coast and plains, to the cold Temperatures temperatures 0°C in the mountain peaks of the Andes Mountains and the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. Flooding Yes Usually, flooding problems appears during June, August and September. Due to the poor hydric policies, indiscriminate logging, pollution in rivers, construction uncontrolled in flow zones is a additional factor which increases the impact of this phenomenon Insect Yes Cases of transmission: Dengue virus and Chikungunya virus Infestation Mudslides Yes The diversity of soils, topography and climate of Colombia are conditions that make the country one of the most susceptible to this phenomenon. Usually they appear during June, August and September. In February 15th 2018, a mudslide occurred in the natural course of Quebrada Negra, county of Puerto Venus, Narino township, which might have destroyed fourteen households, one school a bridge and damaged various local roads. No human casualties were registered. Volcanic Yes In 1985 occurs the deadliest Volcanic Eruptions – Armero, in the history of Colombia (5th in the world) is believed to Eruptions have killed more than 25000 people. Colombia has many volcanoes, located mostly in the central and western ranges. Of these only a few are currently active; Volcanoes most studied: Nevado del Ruiz, Tolima and Santa Isabel, at the central mountains. High Waves / Yes Tropical storms especially in the Pacific Area, generate continuous warnings to the population, which is forced to move Surges to remote areas in the country. Wildfires Yes This phenomenon occurs repeatedly, especially during extended dry periods; and unfortunately vandalism increase wildfires, which have been intensified during el Nino Phenomenon periods which have contributed to the wood ecosystems degradation, affecting each year approximately 42,000 hectares. (MAVDT 2010) (www.miniambiente.gov.co) High Winds Yes Is not common, but it may be present between June and November. Other The climatic risk vulnerability index classifies Colombia as medium risk. Comments Man-Made Issues Page 1 Civil Strife Yes The Western Hemisphere’s oldest conflict may be nearing an end after more than fifty years. The Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are advancing on an array of issues which are crucial to resolving the conflict. In 2016 President Manuel Santos and high ranked representatives of FARC reached the settlings and signature of a peace agreement. The agreement foresees an number of complex subjects as rural reform, land restitution, civil redress to victims, political representation, transitional justice, demining, demobilization, and reintegration of militants and war fighters. Almost 8 million displaced people, recruitment of under aged fighters, sexual violence, illegal economies, dispossession of lands and water and soil degradation have affected more than 50% of the territory in the last 60 years consuming the civil society in the country. Violence may increase in short time due to discrepancies and fights to occupy the land abandoned by FARC, hence humanitarian needs could increase. Another guerrilla group “ELN” , the second largest guerrilla in the country is presently developing a preliminary conversation process which has unfortunately being cancelled due to terrorist attacks perpetrated by this guerrilla group. International No n/a Conflict Internally Yes Colombia has suffered more than four decades of internal violence resulting in the displacement of millions of people; Displaced estimates range between 1.8 million and 3.7 million internally displaced people over the past 20 years. Persons Assessment results and past trends indicate that an average of 530,000 people require food assistance each year. Many who are forced to flee do not register with the Government as displaced people, because they are afraid of being stigmatized or threatened, or do not meet strict criteria for registration; Without official registration and proper identity documents, it is difficult for displaced people to access key humanitarian and social services offered by the Government. Migrants Yes Venezuelan Immigration. The Venezuelan citizens migration into Colombia is a phenomenon which increased in the Present decade of 2010 due to the economic crisis outburst. On June 30th, 2019, the Colombians migration office Migration Colombia estimated the Venezuelans migrant population would be of 1’408,055 people. According to gender, 52% of migrants were men and 48% women. More than one third of migrants (563,004) were in between 18 and 29 years old, and 197,428 were underage. It is estimated that on 2020 there are two and a half millions of Venezuelans people living in Colombia, making the country the biggest Venezuelans migrants receptor in the world (www.migracioncolombia.gov.co) Landmines / Colombia is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war as a result of 40 years of internal conflict. Incidents UXO Present involving landmines or improvised explosive devices. The casualty rate from landmines, UXO, and IEDs in Colombia is one of the highest in the world. The extent of the problem is unknown, and there is a lack of clearance activities, all of which make risk education an important activity. Other Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the figures and priority identified areas in the PRH are due to changes throughout the year in Comments relation to the impact of the crisis in people as humanitarian operations which may occur. Humanitarian actors in Colombia are evaluating the possible scenario on emerging needs which could increase the actual one and assessing the financial needs according to new information gathering. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/op%C3%A9rations/colombia/covid-19 https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/es/op%C3%A9rations/colombia For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile. Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities Seasonal Effects on Transport Transport Time Frame Comments / Details Type Primary Rainy periods in April-May and While there are no seasons in Colombia, exist rainy periods that generate problems of Road October-November, although this landslides, floods and closures, because of poor infrastructure condition. Transport can vary considerably. Secondary Rainy periods in April-May and Same as the Primary Road but the effects to secondary roads is higher. Road October-November, although this Transport can vary considerably. Page 2 Rail Rainy periods in April-May and The railway network in Colombia is not widely used, most of them are covered with vegetation. Transport October-November, although this In rainy periods, mudslides and overflows generate blockage and sinking railways. can vary considerably. Air Rainy periods in April-May and Due to climatic variation in the country, the probability of changes in the weather is high, wind Transport October-November, although this direction, speed, visibility, weather events such as fog, brume, thunderstorms, heavy rain, can vary considerably. temperature and atmospheric pressure. Flooded runways, bad drainage networks, and fog obstruct the visibility of the limited signage. Waterway Rainy periods in April-May and During the dry period: sedimentation, sharp rocks, and low riverbed affects the service. Transport October-November, although this can vary considerably. And high rainfall generated riverbed uncontrolled, which does not allow proper navigation. Climate variability significantly impacts transport throughout the year, the poor road infrastructure is physically affected by unevenness in asphalt surface, landslides, floods, etc. causing permanent or temporary closures (Primary, and secondary roads). The most affected departments: Atlántico, Boyacá, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Santander and Norte de Santander. When the Rainy periods are extended, damage to roads accumulates and increase, so, government entities cannot optimize management, and immediate attention to disaster. Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling Activity Time Frame Comments Type / Details Storage Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. Zones with higher humidity: Humidity Pacific coast, Amazon rainforest, Llanos plain, Middle Magdalena and Orinoco region.

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