WFP stands up for the food security of the most vulnerable people as coronavirus hits hard
Millions across Colombia struggle to guarantee adequate nutrition for themselves and their families
Story by Lorena Peña and Valentina Ortiz
With the support of the Canadian Government, WFP is assisting over 24,000 Colombians in highly vulnerable situations. Some of them belong to the indigenous cabildos (or councils) of Nasa Kwesx Kiwe, Kwes Tata Kiwe, Nasa Kwes yu kiwe, Nasa Kwes Tata Kiwe and Nasa Kwes Kiwe, and indigenous reservations of Nasa Kwesx Kiwe and Triunfo Cristal Páez, which correspond to ten communities from the Paez indigenous population, one of the biggest in Colombia.
Located in hard-to-access areas of Florida in Valle del Cauca, the entire indigenous cabildos entered quarantine, following the measures adopted by the national Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. WFP assists 3,000 indigenous members of these cabildos, whose leaders had pointed out at the increasing need for food assistance, especially of women, children and elders. “I thank the World Food Programme on behalf of my cabildo and its communities, for helping us to meet many of our needs,” says Eber Velasco, Governor of the Nasa Kwes Kiwe Cabildo.
Eugenio Troches, Governor of the Cabildo Kwes Tata Kiwe, said: “I feel very happy because they [WFP] kept us in mind. We are very grateful, and we will make our best effort to ensure that this assistance meets the needs of the entire population of the cabildo.”
Another priority group targeted by WFP, with the support of the Government of Canada, are women victims of the long-lasting Colombian conflict from the impoverished village of Tumaco, in the Department of Nariño, in Southwestern Colombia. Elsy, the head of a displaced mono-parental household of five children, is one of them. Years ago, violence dramatically changed their lives.
“The days when everyone lived nearby and went fishing together to the river are gone,” Elsy remembers sadly. “The family disintegrated. Three of my children were forced to stop their studies, and the others quickly left in pursuit of a safer future.”
Elsy was then forced to move to the city centre, leaving her beloved community, customs and roots behind. In her new journey, she had to work at a clothing workshop during the day, and as the manager of a bar at night. She also became a member of the municipal and departmental victims’ group.
However, with the implementation of the COVID-19 isolation measures, new challenges came up. Due to the compulsory lockdown, the bar she was working in had to close, which directly affected her ability to generate an additional income to ensure the food security and nutrition needs of her household. “Despite [the fact that] they are all grown-ups, I still provide for them,” says Elsy. “I am also the guardian of my granddaughter and nephews since my sister died.”
Elsy is a leader at home and, with her community, she is currently trying to make a living by sewing facemasks at the workshop. As a victim of violence and displacement, Elsy has experienced multiple forms of discrimination.
Thanks to WFP and the Government of Canada, Elsy received a food voucher that will allow her to face this difficult transitional period without having to sell assets or belongings, ensuring the food and nutrition security of the family.
“I receive this assistance with love, especially now that we are not working,” adds Elsy. “Now I make tortillas and we eat varied meals.”
WFP supports the nutrition and food security of the most vulnerable people based on humanitarian principles, with special attention to mothers, children and adolescents, indigenous people and minorities, as well as displaced people and victims of violence. The onset of COVID-19 has meant an additional hardship for many vulnerable people and communities already hit by other shocks like violence and displacement.
Thanks to the timely support of the Government of Canada, WFP is currently implementing interventions aimed at reaching vulnerable groups most affected by the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic in different regions of Colombia.
When using cash-based transfers, WFP supports local retailer shops and contributes to the reactivation and sustainability of local economies, as is currently the case in the departments of Antioquia, Cauca, Córdoba, Chocó, Nariño, La Guajira, Valle del Cauca and Caquetá.
