The violence exercised by armed groups in the Catatumbo region, in the Northeast of Colombia, has left at least 91,000 people affected, according to the latest report of the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA), which has denounced that these clashes generate “mass displacements.”
According to the data expressed by the organization, of the more than 91,000 affected people, more than 50,000 have been displaced towards the urban curses of Cúcuta, Tibú and Ocaña, seeking refuge in temporary reception centers, hotels and host communities.
In addition, at least 27,381 people suffer from mobility restrictions due to armed clashes. The report indicates that “the particular risk for human rights defenders, signers of peace, social and community leaders, who are subject to violence by the Non -State Armed Groups,” has been exacerbated, as reported by the Ocha.
“Threats and accusations against this population persist, where they are accused of belonging or collaborating with another actor in dispute,” he adds, pointing out that there are “important limitations to guarantee protection,” says the report.
The limited presence of the State has left the civilian population exposed to constant clashes and attacks, according to the UN, which has added that “the fighting, harassment and attacks against military infrastructure” have caused new mass displacements in recent weeks.
Likewise, women and children displaced from their homes are “especially vulnerable.” According to a UNICEF report, at least four children under 5 suffer from acute malnutrition, and another 46 are at risk of suffering from it.
In addition, 99 cases of gender violence and sexual exploitation have been reported, of which 65 percent involve Venezuelan women in vulnerable situations.
The Ocha has denounced that the crisis looks even more aggravated “due to the freezing of funds by the United States humanitarian assistance programs.” As a consequence, “it is estimated that at least 120,000 people would be affected and could not access humanitarian assistance.”
Therefore, the UN has called for the international community to guarantee the protection of human rights in the region and allow humanitarian access to affected people.
The increasing increase of the rows of the 33rd Front has caused the clashes with the ELN, which has historically controlled Catatumbo, a region that includes a fortnight of municipalities and that borders Venezuela. Its wealth in mineral resources and its ideal climatic conditions for the cultivation of coca makes it one of the most disputed by Colombian armed groups.