Colombia has been immersed in a civil war for more than 50 years. It is a brutal conflict between many different armed groups who struggle for power and control over land. About 5,000 people are killed every year, and most of these are civilians.

Over two million people have been displaced over the last ten years- 80% are women and children. Forced displacement remains a serious social problem affecting the ability of children and youth to continue their schooling and to enjoy acceptable living standards.

Forced displacement
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (1999) describes a displaced person as anyone who has been forced to migrate within the national boundaries, leaving aside her residence or her habitual economic activities because either her life, her physical integrity or her freedom have been either violated or threatened by situations such as armed conflict, generalized violence, violation of human rights, and any other situation that may alter public order.

Children in Colombia face poverty, abuse and insecurity. Many are poorly nourished and do not have access to adequate healthcare and proper education. Exploitative forms of child work are spreading and HIV/AIDS is a growing threat. Young people are most affected by the war through forced removal from their homes, loss of access to services, lack of protection, injury, threat of kidnap and recruitment by armed groups.

Save the Children Canada works to protect children by encouraging them to understand their rights, through access to education and training, by fostering safe environments, and by the development of peace-building skills.

In 2006, Save the Children Canada was instrumental in creating 21 locally-based organizations that served the interests of 1,048 Colombian children.