WFP Logistics - Colombia

Colombia has suffered over four decades of internal violence resulting in the displacement of millions with estimates ranging between 1.8 million and 3.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the past twenty years, placing Colombia with the highest internally displaced population (IDP) in the western hemisphere and the second largest displaced population in the world after Sudan

This complex context is largely a struggle of the Colombian State and its military forces against guerrilla groups (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-FARC and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional- ELN) and paramilitary groups and this is further complicated by the illegal drug trade and other illegal activities. Albeit on a smaller scale, rural populations are also escaping the violence by crossing into Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.

Despite internal displacement and violence, Colombia has, paradoxically, managed to make economic strides. The Colombian economy has grown consistently in the last six years-with GDP growth ranging from 2.9 percent in 2000 to over 6 percent in 2006. These impressive gains on the macroeconomic front have, however, been accompanied with rising income inequality, poverty and the negative effects of the widespread violence generated by illegal armed groups.

Displaced populations are dispersed throughout 1,023 of the 1,098 municipalities in the country. The tendency of displaced persons per year has been decreasing from a peak of 425,000 in 2002 to 202,000 in 2006. Almost 40 percent of the internally displaced have settled in and around the fifteen largest cities.

According to WFP studies, overall, food insecurity patterns in Colombia (for both IDP and resident poor populations) are related with biological utilization, (i.e., poor health and sanitation conditions, poor food consumption patterns) combined with a problem of food access (i.e., purchasing power and prices). There is no evidence to indicate that food availability is a problem- given current production and import levels. Basic staples are available in local markets with some exceptions in rural areas where communities are threatened or under restrictions.

Policies and actions of the government

The Government is responsible for humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and the 1997 Law on Internal Displacement (Law 387) is consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. In February 2005, the Government launched the National Plan of Integral Attention to People Displaced by Violence which reformulates public policy, outlines concrete actions to prevent forced displacement, assigns resources to key government institutions, and guarantees the protection of the rights of IDPs including the right to humanitarian assistance.

Policies and actions of other major actors

With the presence of UNHCR, OCHA, UNICEF, OHCHR and other UN agencies and programmes, UN activities related to displacement focus on prevention and post-emergency assistance to complement Government programmes. UNHCR, in addition to its refugee mandate, works to increase the capacity of Colombian institutions and civil society to strengthen IDP protection and to raise standards through technical assistance.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), present in Colombia since 1969, has 12 offices located in the main IDP reception areas. They provide emergency food and non-food assistance to the displaced during the first three months of displacement. Other non-food assistance to displaced persons in Colombia is provided by international organizations, NGOs and local grassroots or community based organizations.

Coordination

In line with UN reform efforts and following the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, three thematic groups (protection, early recovery and basic services) have been established by the UN in Colombia. WFP, along with UNICEF and WHO, have been designated to co-lead the Basic Services Group, with an emphasis on displaced populations and are actively working on health, education, nutrition and food security issues. WFP Colombia ensure that PRRO activities are linked to government, NGO and UN organizations in order to design and implement integrated programmes for the IDP situation.

Country office set up

The highly dispersed location of IDPs and confined communities requires a strong field presence in order to properly implement and monitor the PRRO. Ten field offices (five main and five satellites) are located in strategic IDP reception areas. WFP field presence through field offices have been strengthened to respond to the strategic needs of the new PRRO.

Logistics Set up

WFP Colombia has developed a strong and cost effective logistics capacity. Logistics is structured to reach more than 3,000 distribution sites from five main WFP-contracted warehouses located in five cities: Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena and Medellín. Local transporters with demonstrated experience and knowledge of the distribution areas are contracted from each of the five main warehouses. Deliveries are coordinated by the WFP sub-office at the local level in close cooperation with transporters and partners.

In terms of procurement, WFP Colombia fulfills procurement policy: to establish priority for local purchases when possible. However, local prices increased considerably in the last year and are often not competitive with the international markets. Unless there is a change in this trend, WFP has estimated a 63/37 split for international and local purchases.