VIEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
Colombia
We’re working with communities in Colombia to ensure that development is informed by the perspectives of people most at risk.
As part of our global Views from the Frontline programme we have surveyed community members, civil society organisations and government representatives across the country. Here we present our key findings, conclusions, activities and impact.
Random household surveys
Civil society surveys
Local government surveys
Key findings and conclusions at the national level
- Communities feel that they are not included in planning and implementation whereas the government feel communities are included
- A lack of credibility in the authorities and the mismanagement of natural resources affects the resilience of people to disasters
Surveys undertaken in Colombia
Our Views from the Frontline surveys in Colombia were undertaken in 2019.
Who was surveyed?
We surveyed 834 random households, 151 civil society organisations, 151 local government representatives, and undertook 70 community consultations.
Risk locations prioritised
We prioritised three risk areas:
- La Guajira
- Chocó
- Nariño
Communities surveyed
We surveyed people from 14 communities: Barrio Brisas del Norte y Potrerito Playa, Riohacha; Barrio Villa Fátima, Riohacha; Corregimiento Camarones, Riohacha; Sector Cucurumana, Riohacha; Barrio Luisa Pérez, Belén de Judea y Hary Fuminaya, Maicao; Barrio Nuevo, La Primera y San Juan, Pie de Pató, Alto Baudó; Puerto Meluk, Medio Baudó; Boca de Pepé y San José de Querá, Medio Baudó; Virudó, Terrón y Villamaría, Medio Baudó; Barrio Jaime Uribe y Belencito,Belén de Bajirá, Rio sucio; La Florida; Nariño; El Vado, El Rosario; Corregimiento Genoy y Mapachico, Pasto; Inga de Aponte
“What affects us the most are the floods; several communities in the sector cannot get onto the main road – we have to stay in our homes. By meeting together, we will find solutions between the indigenous authorities and the municipal mayor’s office.”
Comments from a focus group of older adults, Cucurumana, La Guajira
Our impact
Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions
- Addressed the issues of erosion and flooding by cleaning drains and filling land susceptible to erosion or low area flooding
- Trained communities on the concepts of the disaster risk management, early warning systems and safe evacuation routes
- Conducted reports of the bridge and community spaces, and improved road access for safe evacuations
Impact of activities
- Communities have gained knowledge on basic concepts related to disasters
- Communities have built resilient community structures which will help them to cope during disasters
- Communities are now aware of the risk of disasters and will be more inclined to apply practices and techniques to reduce risks
Our project partners in Colombia
Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.
National coordinating organisation
- Federación Luterana Mundial
Partner organisations
- Secretariado de Pastoral Social Riohacha SEPAS
- Consejo General de Rio Baudó y sus Afluentes ACABA
- Agencia de Desarrollo Local de Nariño ADEL
View all data from Colombia
You can view all our Views from the Frontline survey data using our data dashboard. You can also learn more about our methodology for selecting at-risk areas and survey respondents.
Project funded by
European Union
Our Views from the Frontline project is funded by the European Union (EU). Content related to this project on our website was made possible by the support of the EU. All content is the sole responsibility of GNDR and does not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.
View their websitePhoto credit
Image by German Rojas from Pixabay.