Colombia
In Colombia, Oxfam's focus is on sustainable livelihoods, assisting those affected by armed conflict, and reducing the impact of natural disasters.
Protecting human rights
- More than four decades of armed conflict have forced around 3 million Colombians to flee their homes
Since 2006, levels of displacement have been growing at an alarming rate. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been particularly badly affected, with limited access to medical facilities, food, and local schools.
How Oxfam is helping
We are helping families that have been displaced or affected by violence to rebuild their lives in peaceful and sustainable ways. We lobby for legal protection of their property rights and seek to raise awareness of the issues among the larger Colombian population.
Oxfam also campaigns for better protection of human rights workers assisting victims of violence.
Learn more
Read more examples of our work in Colombia:
Oxfam's work in Colombia in depth
ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is a funding partner of Oxfam in Colombia
Laying the foundations for growth
Small-scale farmers supply nearly 60 per cent of the produce bought in the Colombian capital of Bogotá. But dependence on middlemen to bring their goods to market means that rural incomes often remain low.
How Oxfam is helping
Oxfam's Alternative Economics initiative supports local farmers in growing healthier and more diverse crops, and selling them directly to consumers at fair market prices.
The project helps small-scale farmers earn more for their produce, while also helping ensure the availability of good quality food at affordable prices in cities.
Learn more
Oxfam's work in Colombia in depthBeing prepared
According to the Directorate for Disaster Prevention and Assistance some 1,500,000 people were affected by natural disasters in Colombia in 2007. These ranged from floods to droughts, storms, landslides, and earthquakes.
How Oxfam is helping
We work with local governments and organisations to help communities reduce the risk of natural disasters. We also provide support to those that have been affected by disasters.
We promote the use of modern technology in emergencies and form rapid response teams in Colombia that assist other countries throughout the region.
Oxfam also leads disaster relief efforts in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector by providing capacity building expertise and human resource.
Find out more about how we work in emergencies.
