66,000 Colombians forced out of homes this year due to fighting between rebel groups
Bogota, May 17 (UNI) Fighting between rebel groups in Colombia has forced more than 66,000 people from their homes in the first five months of this year, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the new displacements represent a 28% increase over the total number of people rendered homeless by the continuing violence in all of 2024.
"By the end of last year, more than 7.3 million people were internally displaced by violence and conflict, the third largest number in the world, behind Sudan and Syria," OCHA said.
OCHA said the United Nations and its partners deliver aid through a $3.8 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Fund released in February. The aim is to help more than 56,000 affected people in Catatumbo, where fighting has been fierce in 2025.
According to local media, more than 80 people were killed and 20 injured in a weekend of attacks by National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and clashes with dissidents of the disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the northeast Catatumbo region.
In late March, the Colombian military reported a soldier was killed in an explosive attack by the FARC dissidents in the southwestern department of Cauca. The Ministry of Defense said an escalation of violence in March left more than 80 people injured in the department.
The clashes between the ELN and FARC are seen as turf battles over control of territory.
OCHA said that despite the sharp rise in humanitarian needs, the aid community's ability to respond is severely curtailed by funding shortfalls. Humanitarian partners have been able to respond to just 25% of identified needs, leaving tens of thousands without aid.
A $342-million Colombia Humanitarian Appeal is only 14% funded.
UNI/XINHUA ANV
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