UN warns remote Afro‑Colombian and indigenous areas face access problems and child recruitment risks

Maria Jose Torres said the earthquake’s impacts are concentrated in areas that were already vulnerable and in some cases affected by armed conflict, which complicates response and reconstruction efforts.

“Mostly, it's affecting Afro Colombian and indigenous communities on the ground,” she said, and warned that “recruitment of children in Colombia is a preexisting issue” that risks worsening if children remain out of school. Torres emphasized the urgency of restoring protective education environments as part of recovery planning.

She also noted that local communities and civil society organizations have been important first responders in remote areas and that the UN and government continue to coordinate to improve access for assessments and aid deliveries.