Colombia’s Displacement Crisis Worsens Eight Years After Peace Accord

Image Credit, NRC

Despite a landmark peace agreement in 2016 between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), displacement in Colombia has surged to alarming levels. Over 1.5 million people have been uprooted since the accord was signed, doubling the annual rate of displacement compared to the agreement’s inaugural year, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

In 2016, approximately 130,000 Colombians were forced to flee. This figure is expected to surpass 260,000 in 2024, revealing a troubling escalation of violence and instability. Giovanni Rizzo, the NRC’s country director in Colombia, underscored the urgency of addressing this crisis. “If displacement was a thermometer of peace, then Colombia’s health would be failing,” Rizzo remarked, calling for accelerated and effective implementation of the peace deal.

The persistent violence driving this crisis includes threats, homicides, forced recruitment, and armed conflict involving anti-personnel mines and bombs. Land dispossession remains a significant factor, contributing to the displacement of multiple generations. “My grandfather, I, and now my son—three generations displaced in three different decades. We can’t endure this anymore,” a community leader from southwestern Colombia shared, reflecting the widespread anguish.

Today, over 5.1 million Colombians live in displacement due to conflict and violence, with non-state armed groups continuing to control vast territories. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports eight active non-international armed conflicts in Colombia.

Adding to the crisis is the underfunding of humanitarian recovery efforts. As of October 2024, only 4% of the requested funds for helping displaced communities rebuild have been secured. The NRC and other humanitarian organizations have called on both the Colombian government and the international community to prioritize investment in recovery programs to ensure sustainable peace.

Negotiated peace remains the only path forward, according to the NRC. “The Colombian Government and international community must provide the support necessary to allow displaced Colombians to rebuild their lives,” Rizzo emphasized. “This is key to achieving sustainable peace.”

As Colombia marks eight years since the peace accord, the increasing displacement rates stand as a stark reminder of the work yet to be done to fulfill its promise of stability and safety for all citizens.