Colombia

Our work in Colombia

The Colombian civil war began in 1964, displacing millions of people throughout the country. With more than 8 million registered internally displaced people (IDPs), Colombia has the largest IDP population in the world. In the past years, the country has also seen an influx of migrants fleeing economic and social strife in Venezuela.

JRS Colombia began its work in 1995, serving IDPs of the country’s civil war. Today, JRS Colombia continues to provide legal, psychosocial, and emergency assistance to forced migrants. JRS contributes to local integration efforts through livelihood and community participation programmes. With many new arrivals from Venezuela, JRS Colombia also provides humanitarian assistance and legal support to Venezuelans.

 

See our work

Children in Magdalena Medio, Colombia, say no to the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflict on Red Hand Day.
Children in Magdalena Medio, Colombia, say no to the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflict on Red Hand Day. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
Flor Marina, an IDP living Cúcuta, completed a a sewing workshop with the support of JRS.
Flor Marina, an IDP living Cúcuta, completed a a sewing workshop with the support of JRS. Now she has her own business and she has been able to build her own house. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
An internally displaced man shows cocoa beans produced with the support of JRS.
An internally displaced man shows cocoa beans produced with the support of JRS in Magdalena Medio, Colombia. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
Cruz, member of the women association “Nuevo Futuro” that carries out local advocacy action to defend the rights of women displaced from armed conflicts.
Cruz is a member of the women association “Nuevo Futuro” that operates in the border between Colombia and Ecuador. The association carries out local advocacy action to defend the rights of women displaced from armed conflicts. (Jesuit Refugee Service)