Colombia

Number of people served: 21,220

The Colombian civil war began in 1964, displacing millions of people throughout the country. To this day, the conflict continues. With more than 8 million registered internally displaced people (IDPs), Colombia has the largest IDP population in the world. In the past year, the country has also seen an influx of migrants fleeing economic and social strife in Venezuela.

The Peace Agreement signed in Colombia has yet to be a reality for most citizens affected by  more than 50 years of armed conflict. Despite advances in the agreement’s implementation, social leaders are now being targeted by armed actors as a means of social and territorial control. Colombia is also struggling to receive more than 1 million immigrants from Venezuela who are in transit to neighbouring countries and settling in Colombia’s precarious conditions.

Our work in Colombia

JRS Colombia began its work in 1995, serving IDPs of the country’s civil war. Today, JRS Colombia continues to provide legal, psychosocial, and emergency assistance to forced migrants. JRS contributes to local integration efforts through livelihood and community participation programmes. With many new arrivals from Venezuela, JRS Colombia also provides humanitarian assistance and legal support to Venezuelans.

Education
JRS classes in Venezuela
Education
Psychosocial Support
A member of the JRS LAC team walks with a beneficiary
Psychosocial Support
Advocacy
Two students celebrate Red Hand Day
Advocacy
Emergency Assistance
Venezuelan migrants
Emergency Assistance
Protection
JRS Venezuela team members during a home visit
Protection
Livelihoods
A participant of JRS livelihoods programmes in Venezuela
Livelihoods
Health Care
A member of the JRS team assisting beneficiaries
Health Care

See our work

Children in Magdalena Medio, Colombia, say no to the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflict on Red Hand Day.
Children in Magdalena Medio, Colombia, say no to the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflict on Red Hand Day. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
An internally displaced man shows cocoa beans produced with the support of JRS.
An internally displaced man shows cocoa beans produced with the support of JRS in Magdalena Medio, Colombia. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
Cruz, member of the women association “Nuevo Futuro” that carries out local advocacy action to defend the rights of women displaced from armed conflicts.
Cruz is a member of the women association “Nuevo Futuro” that operates in the border between Colombia and Ecuador. The association carries out local advocacy action to defend the rights of women displaced from armed conflicts. (Jesuit Refugee Service)

Contact

JRS Colombia Country Director

Fr Mauricio García Durán SJ

comunicaciones@sjrcolombia.org

Project locations:

Norte de Santander, Soacha, Nariño, Magdalena Medio, Valle del Cauca

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