Cúcuta, a city nestled along the border with Venezuela, has become a temporary refuge for thousands of people fleeing the escalating violence in the region. Among these displaced individuals, 27,000 have found themselves in this Colombian city, seeking safety and assistance as they navigate the aftermath of the conflict. The General Santander Stadium, a once-thriving sports venue, has been transformed into a humanitarian aid center, offering food, clothing, and basic medical care to those in need. The entrance to the stadium is marked by long lines of people waiting patiently, yet anxiously, for help. The atmosphere is tense, filled with uncertainty and the weight of unspoken fears. For many, the journey to Cúcuta has been fraught with danger, and the memories of what they left behind still linger vividly in their minds.
One young man, just 21 years old, shared his harrowing story with Al Jazeera. Originally from Tibu, a town in the Catatumbo region, he described the ongoing violence that forced him and his community to flee. “Right now, they are still fighting, removing people, going house to house,” he said, his voice tinged with both fear and determination. His youthful face, framed by dark hair, contrasted sharply with the gravity of his words. The braces on his teeth caught the sunlight as he spoke, a small reminder of a life once untouched by the chaos now gripping his homeland. “They’ve already killed many of our friends,” he added, his voice cracking under the weight of loss. His story is just one of many, a poignant reminder of the human cost of this conflict.
The local government and nonprofit organizations in Cúcuta are struggling to keep up with the growing influx of displaced individuals. Fernando Sandoval Sanchez, the director of the Colombian Civil Defense in Norte de Santander, expressed the enormity of the situation. “We haven’t seen this kind of displacement before,” he said. “So many people taken from their homes, from their land, from their belongings.” The mayor’s office has set up shelters in nearby Villa del Rosario, where around 280 displaced individuals are currently staying, while another 1,330 are being housed in local hotels. However, these solutions are temporary and costly, placing a significant strain on the local government’s budget. Many more are left to fend for themselves, relying on their own resources or the kindness of family and friends to find housing. Some have even considered returning to Catatumbo, despite the dangers that await them.
The economic impact of this exodus is being felt deeply, both by the displaced and the local community. Farmers in Catatumbo, who were once the backbone of the region’s economy, have been forced to abandon their crops and livestock. This has led to food shortages, not only affecting the displaced but also the locals who now find themselves in need of assistance. The pressure on humanitarian aid organizations has grown exponentially, leaving many uncertain about the future. Lusestella Maldonado, a volunteer with the mayor’s office, spoke candidly about the challenges they face. “The budget is already running out,” she said. “Obviously, we don’t have many resources, and every day, we see more and more displacement. The problem is growing.”
The humanitarian response at the General Santander Stadium is a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the human spirit. Beneath the stadium’s concrete arches, volunteers and aid workers are doing their best to provide for the ever-increasing number of displaced individuals. Despite the challenges, there is a sense of hope and determination among those working tirelessly to help. Yet, for the displaced themselves, the future remains uncertain. A 26-year-old mother, who chose to remain anonymous, summed up the feelings of many. “I don’t know until when we will receive help here,” she said. “We are just waiting.”
In the face of such unimaginable hardship, the stories of those affected by the violence serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Even amidst the uncertainty and despair, there are moments of hope and acts of kindness that offer a glimmer of light in the darkness. The people of Cúcuta, both the displaced and the locals, are coming together to support one another, creating a sense of community that transcends borders and circumstances. As the situation continues to unfold, it is this humanity that will carry them through the difficult days ahead.
