DEPARTMENT OF CAUCA
The department of Cauca, located in the southwest of Colombia, has historically been affected by the armed conflict and the presence of various illegal armed groups. This situation has worsened in different areas of the department, where poverty and forced displacement have been taken advantage of by these groups to recruit minors and expand their influence. Strategically located between the Central mountain range and the Western mountain range, Cauca has a diversity of municipalities connected by important rivers such as the Patía, the Cauca and the Magdalena.
Cauca includes several municipalities in the Development Plan with a Territorial Approach (PDET), such as Buenos Aires, Caldono, Inzá, Jambaló, López de Micay, Mercaderes, Miranda, Puerto Tejada, Puracé, Rosas, Santa Rosa, Suárez, Toribío and Villa Rich, among others. The total population of the department is 1,574,488 inhabitants, of which 64% reside in rural areas.
Cauca has been particularly affected by the presence and actions of Non-State Armed Groups (GANE). Disputes over territorial control, especially in areas with illicit crops and illegal mining, have led to forced displacements and confinements in several regions. In 2023, humanitarian impacts persisted with 5,392 people displaced due to 14 mass displacement events in the second half of the year. The municipality of Algeria was the most affected, with 7 mass displacement events recorded.
Municipality of Algeria
The municipality of Argelia is located in the southwest of the department of Cauca, Colombia, in the left foothills of the Western mountain range, whose slopes rush towards the Pacific Ocean. It limits to the north with the municipality of El Tambo, to the south with the municipality of Balboa, to the east with the municipality of Patía and to the west with the municipality of Guapi and the department of Nariño.
The humanitarian situation in Algeria and in the Micay Canyon (rural areas of López de Micay and El Tambo) has worsened since November 2020, worsening with armed hostilities that cause continuous and repeated emergencies. Especially in the townships of El Plateado, Puerto Rico, El Mango and Sinaí, Argelia stands out as the municipality with the highest risk of massive emergencies, such as displacements and confinements. These generate successive unaccompanied returns without security guarantees, exposing communities to serious protection risks.
 – Algeria, Cauca 05/02/2024 – Colombia){kind=link}