BOGOTA, Feb 8 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — United Nations Emergency Coordinator Tom Fletcher approved the allocation of 3.8 million dollars for humanitarian aid to the Catatumbo region, in northeastern Colombia, sources from the organization said.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, Mireia Villar, stated in this capital that the money from the Central Fund for Action in Cases of Emergency will be used to alleviate the suffering of civilian victims of the fighting among armed groups in that territory.
In her communication, the official lamented the escalation of violence in recent days that has already affected more than 77,000 people, 52,000 of whom fled their homes and sought refuge in other towns.
She added that 25,000 others have mobility restrictions or remain confined to the territory, especially in rural areas where the control of armed groups prevents access to humanitarian aid.
“This is the largest displacement crisis that Colombia has gone through since 2016. With these contributions, the UN agencies and the partners of our Humanitarian Country Team will be able to provide relief to half of the people who have extreme needs in Catatumbo today,” she said.
She assured that with the funds allocated to the region, those affected by the situation of violence will be able to access basic goods, food and water, as well as health and education services in an emergency context.
Villar also demanded that armed groups give humanitarian workers access to the conflict zone so that they can bring aid to those who need it most.
“The United Nations reaffirms its commitment to alleviating the difficult situation affecting so many communities,” she said. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
