Emergency Food Support for Families in Catatumbo

Dear friends,

Thank you for your continued support of our emergency appeal for families affected by the humanitarian crisis in Catatumbo. Your generosity has enabled Children Change Colombia (CCC), working in partnership with the Diocese of Tibú, to provide life-saving assistance to some of the communities most affected by the conflict.

We have distributed 144 food parcels and hygiene kits to families across four rural villages in the municipality of Tibú. These essential supplies have helped meet immediate needs for families who have been displaced or cut off from basic services due to escalating violence.

A worsening humanitarian crisis

Sadly, the situation in Catatumbo has continued to deteriorate throughout 2026.

The region remains one of the areas most affected by Colombia's armed conflict, with communities facing increasing insecurity, limited economic opportunities, and severe restrictions on their daily lives. During the implementation of this project, security conditions became even more challenging due to intensified armed confrontations, improvised explosive devices, drone attacks, and movement restrictions imposed by armed groups.

Since the outbreak of renewed violence, more than 62,000 people have been forcibly displaced, while approximately 27,000 others have been confined to their communities, unable to move freely or access essential services. Although the Colombian Government declared a State of Internal Disturbance to facilitate humanitarian assistance, the scale of the emergency continues to exceed available resources.

Despite these challenges, our local partner, the Diocese of Tibú, remains one of the very few civil society organisations able to maintain a presence in the region and safely reach affected communities. This trusted local network has been essential in ensuring that aid reaches families who need it most. Working closely with the Diocese of Tibú, community leaders and humanitarian partners, CCC has focused on reducing food insecurity and providing immediate relief to families facing extraordinary hardship.

The impact of this support is already becoming clear.

Families have reported:

• Improved access to food and essential household items.
• Reduced financial pressure during displacement and instability.
• Greater peace of mind as they begin rebuilding their lives.
• Improved emotional wellbeing, knowing their immediate needs are being met during an incredibly stressful period.

While emergency assistance cannot resolve the wider crisis, it provides families with the stability they need to navigate uncertainty and begin their recovery.

None of this would have been possible without your support.

Your generosity has provided practical assistance and hope to families living through one of Colombia's most severe humanitarian crises. At a time when many communities feel isolated by violence, your donations have helped ensure they are not forgotten.

Children Change Colombia remains committed to working alongside the Diocese of Tibú and local communities as the crisis continues, providing humanitarian support wherever it is most urgently needed.

Thank you once again for your compassion, solidarity, and commitment to children and families affected by conflict.