The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombia, Mireia Villar, announced on [Date] in Bogotá that funds from the Central Fund for Action in Cases of Emergency will be used to assist civilians affected by violence in the Catatumbo region.
The announcement comes amid a recent escalation of violence that has displaced over 77,000 people, with 52,000 seeking refuge in other towns. An additional 25,000 individuals face mobility restrictions or remain confined, particularly in rural areas where armed groups control access to humanitarian aid.
Villar stated that the UN agencies and partners will use the funds to provide relief to half of those in dire need in Catatumbo. The assistance will include access to basic goods, food, water, health services, and emergency education.
Villar also called for armed groups to allow humanitarian workers access to the conflict zone to deliver aid to those most in need. The UN reiterated its commitment to alleviating the difficult situation affecting communities in the region.