GOAL – Colombia

ORGANISATION
GOAL – Colombia

LOCATION
Colombia

GOAL – Colombia support communities facing conflict, migration and disasters

GOAL in Colombia launched the ‘Resilient Neighbourhood in Colombia’ project, thanks to support from the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID BHA). This initiative focuses on boosting community resilience during emergencies.

In Bucaramanga (Santander), residents have received training in disaster risk reduction, especially since they live in high-risk areas. Working alongside the Bucaramanga Fire Department, community members have also learned first aid to help provide an immediate response to any emergencies that may arise.

Since 2021, GOAL has been actively engaging with local communities, teaching them how to manage disaster risks in their vulnerable areas. One of the most common emergencies they face at home is fires, so the collaboration with the Bucaramanga Fire Department has been invaluable. Men and women in the community have been trained to handle fire emergencies safely, learning how to manage situations from a safe distance, under the guidance of experts.

This initiative has created a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about preventing emergencies and how to deal with them effectively. These efforts are made possible through projects like Barrio Resiliente in Colombia, supported by USAID-BHA, and the Irish Civil Society Alliance for a Better World, funded by the Government of Ireland (Irish Aid).

From awareness to action, young people lead the way in pushing for climate and disaster resilience. This story and photograph is a part of our celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024. Members from across our network have shared their stories of youth-led or focussed resilience work. It demonstrates that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers today, driving forward local actions that build resilience to disasters and reduce risk.

All photos: GOAL – Colombia