Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
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Natural Hazards |
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|---|---|---|
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Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
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Drought |
No |
Droughts no, but Dry season yes, are common in Colombia during the year, especially, December to March. |
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Earthquakes |
Yes |
Colombia is considered a country with a seismic risk, due to its located on the “Ring of Fire - Pacific”, areas of high seismic risk are located in the departments of Nariño, Choco, Caldas and Santander (where the town of “Los Santos” is located which is considered as the second most seismic town of the world). |
|
Epidemics |
Yes |
The variety of climates and weather phenomena influencing epidemics, especially seasonal influenzas. Other major epidemics that impact the population are HIV / AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis B and C, Dengue, Meningitis. The National Institute of Health (https://www.ins.gov.co/) issues a weekly epidemiological bulletin with epidemics in the country and how to deal with their presence. |
|
Extreme Temperatures |
No |
Due to the climatic diversity in Colombia temperatures can be between 30°C on the coast and plains, to the cold temperatures 0°C in the mountain peaks of the Andes Mountains and the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. |
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Flooding |
Yes |
Usually, flooding problems appears during June, August and September. Due to the poor hydric policies, indiscriminate logging, pollution in rivers, construction uncontrolled in flow zones is a additional factor which increases the impact of this phenomenon |
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Insect Infestation |
Yes |
Cases of transmission: Dengue virus and Chikungunya virus |
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Mudslides |
Yes |
The diversity of soils, topography and climate of Colombia are conditions that make the country one of the most susceptible to this phenomenon. Usually they appear during June, August and September. In February 15th 2018, a mudslide occurred in the natural course of Quebrada Negra, county of Puerto Venus, Narino township, which might have destroyed fourteen households, one school a bridge and damaged various local roads. No human casualties were registered. |
|
Volcanic Eruptions |
Yes |
In 1985 occurs the deadliest Volcanic Eruptions – Armero, in the history of Colombia (5th in the world) is believed to have killed more than 25000 people. Colombia has many volcanoes, located mostly in the central and western ranges. Of these only a few are currently active; Volcanoes most studied: Nevado del Ruiz, Tolima and Santa Isabel, at the central mountains. |
|
High Waves / Surges |
Yes |
Tropical storms especially in the Pacific Area, generate continuous warnings to the population, which is forced to move to remote areas in the country. |
|
Wildfires |
Yes |
This phenomenon occurs repeatedly, especially during extended dry periods; and unfortunately vandalism increase wildfires, which have been intensified during el Nino Phenomenon periods which have contributed to the wood ecosystems degradation, affecting each year approximately 42,000 hectares. (MAVDT 2010) (www.miniambiente.gov.co) |
|
High Winds |
Yes |
Is not common, but it may be present between June and November. |
|
Other Comments |
The climatic risk vulnerability index classifies Colombia as medium risk. |
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Man-Made Issues |
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Civil Strife |
Yes |
The Western Hemisphere’s oldest conflict may be nearing an end after more than fifty years. The Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are advancing on an array of issues which are crucial to resolving the conflict. In 2016 President Manuel Santos and high ranked representatives of FARC reached the settlings and signature of a peace agreement. The agreement foresees an number of complex subjects as rural reform, land restitution, civil redress to victims, political representation, transitional justice, demining, demobilization, and reintegration of militants and war fighters. Almost 8 million displaced people, recruitment of under aged fighters, sexual violence, illegal economies, dispossession of lands and water and soil degradation have affected more than 50% of the territory in the last 60 years consuming the civil society in the country. Violence may increase in short time due to discrepancies and fights to occupy the land abandoned by FARC, hence humanitarian needs could increase. Another guerrilla group “ELN” , the second largest guerrilla in the country is presently developing a preliminary conversation process which has unfortunately being cancelled due to terrorist attacks perpetrated by this guerrilla group. |
|
International Conflict |
No |
n/a |
|
Internally Displaced Persons |
Yes |
Colombia has suffered more than four decades of internal violence resulting in the displacement of millions of people; estimates range between 1.8 million and 3.7 million internally displaced people over the past 20 years. Assessment results and past trends indicate that an average of 530,000 people require food assistance each year. Many who are forced to flee do not register with the Government as displaced people, because they are afraid of being stigmatized or threatened, or do not meet strict criteria for registration; Without official registration and proper identity documents, it is difficult for displaced people to access key humanitarian and social services offered by the Government. |
|
Migrants Present |
Yes |
Venezuelan Immigration. The Venezuelan citizens migration into Colombia is a phenomenon which increased in the decade of 2010 due to the economic crisis outburst. On June 30th, 2019, the Colombians migration office Migration Colombia estimated the Venezuelans migrant population would be of 1’408,055 people. According to gender, 52% of migrants were men and 48% women. More than one third of migrants (563,004) were in between 18 and 29 years old, and 197,428 were underage. It is estimated that on 2020 there are two and a half millions of Venezuelans people living in Colombia, making the country the biggest Venezuelans migrants receptor in the world (www.migracioncolombia.gov.co) |
|
Landmines / UXO Present |
Colombia is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war as a result of 40 years of internal conflict. Incidents involving landmines or improvised explosive devices. The casualty rate from landmines, UXO, and IEDs in Colombia is one of the highest in the world. The extent of the problem is unknown, and there is a lack of clearance activities, all of which make risk education an important activity. |
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Other Comments |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the figures and priority identified areas in the PRH are due to changes throughout the year in relation to the impact of the crisis in people as humanitarian operations which may occur. Humanitarian actors in Colombia are evaluating the possible scenario on emerging needs which could increase the actual one and assessing the financial needs according to new information gathering. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/op%C3%A9rations/colombia/covid-19 |
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https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/es/op%C3%A9rations/colombia
For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile.
Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities
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Seasonal Effects on Transport |
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|---|---|---|
|
Transport Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Primary Road Transport |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. |
While there are no seasons in Colombia, exist rainy periods that generate problems of landslides, floods and closures, because of poor infrastructure condition. |
|
Secondary Road Transport |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. |
Same as the Primary Road but the effects to secondary roads is higher. |
|
Rail Transport |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. |
The railway network in Colombia is not widely used, most of them are covered with vegetation. In rainy periods, mudslides and overflows generate blockage and sinking railways. |
|
Air Transport |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. |
Due to climatic variation in the country, the probability of changes in the weather is high, wind direction, speed, visibility, weather events such as fog, brume, thunderstorms, heavy rain, temperature and atmospheric pressure. Flooded runways, bad drainage networks, and fog obstruct the visibility of the limited signage. |
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Waterway Transport |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. |
During the dry period: sedimentation, sharp rocks, and low riverbed affects the service. And high rainfall generated riverbed uncontrolled, which does not allow proper navigation. |
Climate variability significantly impacts transport throughout the year, the poor road infrastructure is physically affected by unevenness in asphalt surface, landslides, floods, etc. causing permanent or temporary closures (Primary, and secondary roads).
The most affected departments: Atlántico, Boyacá, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Santander and Norte de Santander. When the Rainy periods are extended, damage to roads accumulates and increase, so, government entities cannot optimize management, and immediate attention to disaster.
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Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling |
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|---|---|---|
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Activity Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Storage |
Rainy periods in April-May and October-November, although this can vary considerably. Zones with higher humidity: Pacific coast, Amazon rainforest, Llanos plain, Middle Magdalena and Orinoco region. |
Humidity |
|
Handling |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Other |
n/a |
n/a |
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
Government
For information on Colombia Government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Colombia Government Contact List.
National Unit for Disaster Risk Management – UNGRD, is the coordinating institution of the State's response to the calamity; chaired by the President of the Republic.
Focus point: The UNGRD promotes risk management cycle through the following steps:
Risk knowledge; Risk Communication; Early Warning System; Strengthen response capabilities; Mitigation and adaptation; Supporting the implementation of the national plan of risk management at local level.
Emergency response programs: The UNGRD is responsible for coordinate the operational response for emergency of natural, social or structural, through the following lines:
recovery and reconstruction, productive projects, machinery and materials, telecommunications support, water and sanitation, temporary accommodation and emergency humanitarian aid.
The National Army and National Police, in coordination with staff from the National Disaster Relief, civil authorities and other state agencies involved in the Prevention and Attention to Disasters.
Adopt measures military control of the area, in order to prevent illegal acts that could disturb public order. Its mission is to protect the civilian population and provide security for economic sectors and vital points; it also facilitates the evacuation plans of the civilian population in the event of a crisis situation by natural disaster or terrorist attack occur.
Crisis response: Through technical information issued by the Institute of Environmental Studies - IDEAM, Google search engine will emit a series of alerts to be geo-referenced and supplemented with the data generated by the UNGR, in order to alert users in real time and increase their knowledge of hazardous events.
For information on Colombia Government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Colombia Government Contact List.
National Emergency Management for Waters and Sanitation Organization Chart
The main authority for emergencies in Colombia is the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). Under UNGRD are different units of public services superintendence, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the national fire system, the Colombian civil defense, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Colombian Red Cross, and engineer battalions. In departmental order are army brigades, local sectional Red Cross chapters, local fire departments, local Colombian civil defense units, the Departmental Council for Disaster Risk Management, local health secretaries, regional autonomous corporations, and services public providers companies. In municipal order are, army battalions, municipal sections of the Red Cross, the Municipal Council for Disaster Risk Management, the municipal Colombian Civil Defense, fire brigades, health secretaries, and services public providers companies.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE FLOW CHART – INFORMATION NETWORK
To respond to water and sanitation needs are four important items. First are emergency plants with water storage tanks with capacities for 10,000 up to 20,000 liters. Second are sanitation units equipped with machinery, equipment, chemical latrines, construction materials, and technical personnel. Third are vehicles for transporting water from the UNGRD, Army, Police, Fire Brigades, and Colombian civil defense units. Last is the rehabilitation phase developing technical assessments and damage assessment and needs analysis.
RESPONSE FLOW CHART
Risk management in Colombia, according to Law 1523 of 2012 is a social process aimed at the formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of policies, strategies, plans, programs, regulations, instruments, measures and permanent actions for the knowledge and reduction risk and disaster management.
RESPONSE FLOW CHART
EMERGENCY HANDLING PROCESS – UNGRD*
*National Unit for Disaster Risk Management
The logistics in operations includes all aspects of support to the lines of intervention required in emergency care, framed in care within of the first 72 hours and in the Specific Recovery Action Plan, according to the Declaration of Public Calamity of the affected Municipality and / or Department. The four important phases are emergency response, supply management, supply control systems (inventory management), and storage and distribution.
RESPONSE FLOW CHART FOR LIFE ENDANGERING EVENTS
RESPONSE FLOW CHART
EMERGENCY HANDLING PROCESS – UNGRD*
*National Unit for Disaster Risk Management
ASSESTEMENT OF VICTIMS CENSUS
National Unit for Disaster Risk Management – UNGRD, is the coordinating institution of the State's response to the calamity; chaired by the President of the Republic.
Focus point: The UNGRD promotes risk management cycle through the following steps:
Risk knowledge; Risk Communication; Early Warning System; Strengthen response capabilities; Mitigation and adaptation; Supporting the implementation of the national plan of risk management at local level.
Emergency response programs: The UNGRD is responsible for coordinate the operational response for emergency of natural, social or structural, through the following lines:
recovery and reconstruction, productive projects, machinery and materials, telecommunications support, water and sanitation, temporary accommodation and emergency humanitarian aid.
The National Army and National Police, in coordination with staff from the National Disaster Relief, civil authorities and other state agencies involved in the Prevention and Attention to Disasters.
Adopt measures military control of the area, in order to prevent illegal acts that could disturb public order. Its mission is to protect the civilian population and provide security for economic sectors and vital points; it also facilitates the evacuation plans of the civilian population in the event of a crisis situation by natural disaster or terrorist attack occur.
Crisis response: Through technical information issued by the Institute of Environmental Studies - IDEAM, Google search engine will emit a series of alerts to be geo-referenced and supplemented with the data generated by the UNGR, in order to alert users in real time and increase their knowledge of hazardous events.
For information on Colombia Government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Colombia Government Contact List.
Humanitarian Community
Humanitarian coordination is provided under Resolution 46/182 of the United Nations General Assembly (19 December of 1991), humanitarian action should be guided by a common strategy in each country where have the presence of Humanitarian Coordinator.
The Humanitarian Country Team (In Spanish: Equip Humanitarian País - EHP), under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, is the forum for coordinating the international humanitarian community (UN agencies, International NGO's and Donors) defined internationally by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee – IASC.
The EHP seeks to support and supplement the response to emergencies caused by conflict and natural disasters, with emphasis in areas of difficult access, and affected populations; must ensure that organizations of the international community, implement coordinated actions and humanitarian assistance is timely and predictable, with a focus on rights, gender and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions.
There are currently five active clusters: Protection, Health, Shelter, Water – Sanitation, Food and Nutrition Security; Education in Emergencies works as a sector where there is a strong coordination with the Ministry of Education through the National Roundtable for Education in Emergencies, Gender and Early Recovery. There is also a working subgroup on mine action, as part of the Protection Cluster.
For information on Colombia humanitarian contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Colombia Humanitarian Agency Contact List.
