Oxfam's work in Colombia in depth

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Oxfam has worked with local organisations in Colombia for more than 25 years on diverse projects for rural development, protection for victims of natural disasters and displacement, disaster risk reduction, advocacy for the collective rights of ethnic minorities, fostering women’s political leadership, and strengthening social organisations to help eradicate poverty.

The context

Colombia has approximately 46m inhabitants, 47% of whom live in poverty, and 15% in extreme poverty. The poorest zones (Chocó, Boyacá, Córdoba, Nariño, Huila, Sucre, Cauca and Tolima) are those where the population is mostly indigenous and afro descendant.

In rural areas, 44% of the population lives in extreme poverty. They are also the most affected by armed conflicts, as they are continuously being forced to leave their land and homes (and as such their livelihoods and means of subsistence).

How is Oxfam helping?

Developing economic alternatives

This programme works with farmer, indigenous, and afro-Colombian communities with special emphasis on women and their participation in the food market between the fields and the cities.

Fair trade and public policies for the rural area drive the programme, which seeks to improve livelihoods for growers (men and women), and to improve food security in the cities.

The project is a practical example of the strengthening of small-scale rural economies and of community life plans, in the sense that it contributes to the well-being of urban areas, and it reduces poverty and inequality in the country.

Milk production

In 2009, four organisations totalling 189 small milk producers (25% of them women), Oxfam and Alpina S.A. (one of the largest dairy companies in Colombia) formed a strategic alliance to ensure lasting commercial relations and provide technical support and access to funding; all to improve the quality of milk, increase production and diversify markets. This business and funding model is a new way in which local organisations, the private sector, authorities, and agencies can bring about sustainable development.

All four organisations are located in the Cauca area, in the south-western region of the country – the second poorest in Colombia – and especially include indigenous, farmers and afro descendant producers.

Land titling

The Land Titling Programme works to help ethnic-territorial organisations exercise their right to land and to be protected from armed conflict and economic threats. It also seeks to strengthen and advocate for the effective control of their lives and territories, and the wealth contained therein.

Strengthening women’s leadership is a fundamental aspect of the empowerment process for these organisations, because it ensures their role, and women’s agendas, are made visible. It also seeks to acknowledge and increase their power in the decisions affecting the development of their community and their lives.

Additional to this, Oxfam networks with local stakeholders to increase knowledge and awareness and demand action from the Colombian population on behalf of greater quality and respect for the rights of the indigenous and afro-descendant population.

Armed conflict in Nariño

The Nariño area in the south-east is one of those most affected by the armed conflict, because the threat of control by armed groups in the country is constant. These areas used to be dedicated to growing food but are now abandoned or burned because they were used for illegal planting. Oxfam has been working in these zones for three years to reactivate the economy of the communities and ensure food security.

An example of this is the support Oxfam has given local organisations FUNDESUMA and CIMA. Both organisations have provided training to small farmers (men and women) on technical and leadership topics, as well as in the creation of agro-environmental schools that help replicate lessons learned.

Adaptation and disaster risk reduction

Colombia is somewhat vulnerable to natural disasters, but the number of severe floods, hurricanes and other climate-related disasters have increased in recent years.

Oxfam works on risk reduction and climate change adaptation activities in the most vulnerable areas of Colombia. It also works with communities at risk, state authorities and stakeholders, providing people with access to safer territories and better life conditions.

Emergency response

Torrential rains in early 2011 caused floods in 28 of Colombia’s 32 areas. Close to 2 million people were affected – and the areas most affected were the Andean and Caribbean regions. Most of those in the latter live in poverty.

Oxfam helped more than 200,000 people through its “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programming” (WASH) and “Emergency Food Security and Livelihood” programmes.

Last updated: May 2011