Colombia
Colombia's armed conflict has spanned more than five decades and continues to have a profound impact on rural, Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. War Child works with partners across the country to strengthen the resilience and wellbeing of children, adolescents and young people affected by armed conflict and violence.
The situation for children
Conflict between non-state armed groups, paramilitary networks, and criminal organisations has affected Colombia for decades, as these groups compete for territorial control linked to illicit activities such as drug trafficking and illegal mining.
The ongoing violence has led to forced displacement, confinement, movement restrictions, and the recruitment of children, depriving many young people of their futures.
The internal displacement crisis, compounded by the large-scale arrival of people fleeing Venezuela and the impacts of climate change, has intensified humanitarian needs in both rural and urban communities.
Our work in Colombia
War Child has been working in Colombia since 2006. Together with our partners, we deliver programmes that provide children and their communities with education, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and opportunities for youth advocacy. We focus our efforts on Indigenous, Afro-Colombian and rural communities in territories including Chocó, La Guajira, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Putumayo, Antioquia, and Bogotá.
Evidence-based Methodologies used in Colombia
Play and movement-based psychosocial methodology
- Evidence based
- Mental health and psychosocial support
Parent wellbeing and skills
- Evidence based
- Mental health and psychosocial support
Supporting adolescent mental health
- Evidence based
- Mental health and psychosocial support
Youth-led advocacy
- Research grounded
- Youth advocacy
Community-led child protection
- Evidence informed
- Child protection
Latest news from Colombia
War Child statement on magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
We are thinking of the people of Colombia following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Chocó province early yesterday morning local time.
Empowering Youth and Preserving Tradition in Colombia
Violence persists across Colombia despite a recent resumption of peace talks. Criminal gangs and political groups continue to use weapons of war in pursuit of their goals - with afro-descendant and indigenous communities at particular risk of harm. War Child supports local youth leaders working to protect their communities and culture - leaders like Cocco Kilele. She shares her story…
How War Child helped children in some of the most acute crises in the world in 2024
2024 was another devastating year for children and families around the world affected by war and conflict. As well as the impacts of violence - natural hazards, including heavy rainfall and flooding, also left millions displaced and in need of aid.
- Advocacy
Amplifying youth voices at the United Nations Children and Armed Conflict Conference
Last month, War Child accompanied a group of four youth advocates to an international conference on Children and Armed Conflict in Malta where they designed and hosted their own session. The youth presented recommendations of over 100 child and youth participants from War Child’s VoiceMore programmes in Colombia and Uganda to UN Member States, agencies, and civil society.
