eight armed conflicts currently rock Colombia affected thousands of people during 2023, leaving up to 444 alleged violations of international humanitarian lawThis is stated in the latest report of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The main humanitarian consequences of these conflicts are disappearances and forced displacement, sexual violence, incarceration and consequences of explosive devices scattered throughout the country. Likewise, the ICRC highlighted the association of children and adolescents with armed actors.

Regarding the movement of people, the ICRC noted that more than 195,000 people were forced to leave their homesespecially in the departments of Nariño (over 43,500), Valle del Cauca (about 28,200) and Cauca (over 17,100).

A group of displaced people in Cali, Colombia. Photo: Chiara. CC BY 2.0 DEED.

On the other hand, around Due to restrictions, 47,000 people were affected communities due to escalating hostilities or the presence of explosive devices, which means 19% increase nationally in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Those mines and explosives scattered throughout Colombia directly affected 380 people, most of them are civilians. Although this section recorded a decrease of 22% compared to 2022, the ICRC emphasized that this does not necessarily mean a decrease in the affected area.