SYRACUSE, New York — COVID-19 has illustrated the urgent need to support the world’s impoverished with foreign aid. The economic hardship of the pandemic leaves many low and middle-income countries without sufficient resources to combat the crisis. One such nation is Colombia where organizations working to reduce poverty are still facing significant challenges. The impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Colombia is harsh. Without additional support, the nation could risk losing some of the ground gained in recent years.
The Colombian Economy Prior to COVID-19
Colombia’s economy has been on a consistent upward trajectory since the turn of the century with poverty rates reducing by 50% over the past decade. In 2019, the economy grew more than 3% with signs indicating further expansion as an emerging market in 2020. Despite this progress, the Colombian economy was still left uniquely vulnerable to the economic hardships the world would face in 2020.
Income disparities in Colombia are among the highest in Latin America. In fact, the wealthiest 20% of citizens hold more than half (56.2%) of the nation’s income. Furthermore, because petroleum makes up more than half of the nation’s exports, Colombia was especially vulnerable when the price of oil faced a sharp decline during the pandemic.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Colombia
The Colombian economy lacked the stability to face the COVID-19 health crisis and corresponding economic difficulties without intervention. About 42.5% of the country now falls below the poverty line, up almost 7% from 2019. Additionally, the percentage of Colombian’s living in conditions of extreme poverty has grown to reach 16% of the population.
More than two-thirds of the workforce felt the economic ramifications of COVID-19, with many businesses having to close down for good. Estimates show that 21 million people in Colombia are living off just $92 a month. Furthermore, nearly two million Colombian households could not afford the minimum of three daily meals as a result of economic difficulties. These figures provide an overall picture of the worst economic recession Colombia has faced in about 50 years.
The Response to COVID-19 in Colombia
With a significant portion of people pushed into poverty in Colombia in 2020, there is an urgency for relief. The Colombian government expanded the reach of its social safety net to make more households eligible for relief payments with an estimated three million more households receiving cash transfers. In an effort to reduce food insecurity, the government also adapted school nutrition programs to aid almost six million children at home.
Additionally, the World Bank has made efforts to aid Colombia in its recovery by improving the efficacy of social programs. Through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank helped Colombia secure a $700 million loan to finance its response to the pandemic. The World Bank estimates that these funds and measures have kept more than 600,000 people out of poverty, avoiding another 1.3% increase in the poverty rate.
Organizations to the Rescue
Outside of the government, groups and organizations are working to lessen COVID-19’s impact on poverty in Colombia. One such group is the Colombian Civil Air Patrol (PAC), an organization of volunteer pilots who fly healthcare workers over mountainous terrain and vast rainforests in order to provide medical treatment to remote areas of the country. These rural areas are home to indigenous populations and many people living in extreme poverty.
In some cases, for people living in remote areas, reaching medical care could take several days. To assist during COVID-19, PAC made use of its distribution networks and fleet of volunteer pilots to get supplies, including masks, sanitizer, disinfectant and test kits, to these rural communities. PAC has been able to reach more than 100 municipalities across the country, providing PPE so that even the most remote hospitals can treat COVID-19 infections. With additional support, PAC can continue to save lives and provide rural communities with more resources.
The overall impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Colombia has drastically worsened economic conditions. International aid must supplement the efforts made by the Colombian government and NGOs. Global support is key in order to preserve the years of progress made in the fight against poverty in Colombia and return the nation to one of the fastest developing markets in Latin America.
– Alex Muckenfuss
Photo: Flickr