Trump’s Cuts Hurt America’s Largest Settlement
- LA GUAJIRA, Colombia – Yuleima Borja, 54, has called "the track" home for five years.
- Borja's journey to the track began in the 1980s when she fled violence perpetrated by Colombian guerrillas, seeking refuge in Venezuela.
- Borja is one of over 9,000 residents, according to the latest census, who have settled on the track in the past decade.
Migrant Settlement in Northern Colombia Faces Crisis After Aid Withdrawal
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LA GUAJIRA, Colombia – Yuleima Borja, 54, has called “the track” home for five years. The settlement, the largest migrant community in the Americas, is located along a former landing strip of the Maicao airport in northern Colombia.
Borja’s journey to the track began in the 1980s when she fled violence perpetrated by Colombian guerrillas, seeking refuge in Venezuela. ther, she built a life, becoming a business administrator and raising her daughters. However, Venezuela’s deteriorating economic conditions forced her return to Colombia in 2015. Initially, she sold candy on buses, earning just enough to pay for a room shared with her sister.The COVID-19 pandemic further eroded her income. “So we decided to invade here,” Borja said, describing her arrival with only a folding bed and a suitcase of clothes to what would become her new home: a small dwelling with zinc sheets for a roof, housing a couple of rooms and a kitchen.
A Community Built on Scarcity
Borja is one of over 9,000 residents, according to the latest census, who have settled on the track in the past decade. The population is largely comprised of Venezuelans, along with returning Colombians and indigenous people from both countries. Thay live in makeshift homes constructed on small plots of land bordering the old airfield, which stretches nearly 1.5 kilometers. Some dwellings are built from sticks, bags, and cardboard, while others are more sturdy, covered in metal to withstand the harsh winter rains.
Food and water are scarce. Distributors travel through the arid landscape in donkey-pulled trucks, selling gallons of drinking water to homes and small informal stores. The lack of resources disproportionately affects children, many of whom work and face notable risks, especially at night, due to the lack of electricity and public lighting. Local authorities report that these conditions make them vulnerable to human trafficking, forced recruitment, and sexual exploitation.
Humanitarian Aid Dries Up
Several NGOs had operated in the area for years to address these needs. The Transitory Solidarity Center (CTS), located in the settlement, once housed up to 20 organizations, including UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Program, the International Organization for Migration, Save the Children, Medicare, and World Vision. Though, the center is now abandoned.
The departure of these organizations followed the U.S. government’s decision to close USAID, the U.S. cooperation agency, which resulted in the freezing of crucial cooperation funds.
Community Leader Voices Concerns
Borja, who also serves as the president of the settlement, has witnessed the devastating impact of the aid withdrawal firsthand. The track is organized into 12 sections, each with its own leader. These leaders form a council and elect a president. Borja has held this position for over a year.
“We feel very helpless,” Borja said, lamenting the loss of essential services. “Before, when a person did not have access to health, they attended him. Now, the hospital only responds if you arrive dying.There was also room for music,dance,food and education reinforcements for children. All that is over,” she said, in tears.
Hopes for legalization
Maicao Mayor Miguel Felipe aragón has proposed modifying existing regulations to regularize the neighborhood and provide access to public services. Aragón said he has approached the national government, led by President Gustavo Petro, for assistance, but the response has been limited. “The aid has been almost null. They tell us that they are working on the ‘construction of programs’ and for the moment they have only given us some trucks to distribute water,” he said.
The legal status of the settlement remains a challenge. While the community does not comply with territorial planning regulations, an eviction would be challenging and unpopular. A solid relocation project is also lacking. Aragón said he does not feel “with the will to get people out of their homes.” If the proposal goes ahead, the regulations will also help others more than 40 smaller -scale settlements found in the city.
Borja views the possibility of legalization as a victory, but acknowledges that challenges remain. “If we talk about dreams,I would love to see houses with materials,green areas,schools,health posts and recreational spaces.” The exit of all the NGOs and humanitarian workers in the area, underlines Borja, indefinitely move away their illusion of reality.
# Migrant Settlement in Northern Colombia: A Q&A
## What is “the track” settlement in Colombia?
“The track” is the largest migrant community in the Americas, located along a former landing strip of the Maicao airport in northern Colombia. its home to over 9,000 residents, primarily Venezuelans, along with returning Colombians and indigenous people. Yuleima Borja,a resident for five years,describes it as her home.
## How did the settlement begin?
The settlement began to form about a decade ago. Many residents, including Yuleima Borja, were forced to return to Colombia due to deteriorating economic conditions in Venezuela. They sought refuge and built homes on the old airfield. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained their resources, leading to the expansion of the community.
## Who lives in “the track”?
The population is largely made up of Venezuelans, returning Colombians, and Indigenous people from both countries.
## What are the living conditions like in “the track”?
Living conditions are challenging. Residents live in makeshift homes constructed from materials like sticks, bags, and cardboard, or metal sheeting. Food and water are scarce, with water sold by distributors traveling through the arid landscape. There is a lack of electricity and public lighting, making children particularly vulnerable. Local authorities report the children there face risks from human trafficking, forced recruitment, and sexual exploitation.
## What essential services are lacking in the settlement?
The settlement faces a severe lack of essential services due to the departure of humanitarian aid organizations.Essential services such as access to healthcare, education, and food assistance have been significantly reduced.
## What organizations previously helped the migrant settlement?
Several NGOs had operated in the area for years. The Transitory Solidarity center (CTS) once housed up to 20 organizations, including:
* UNHCR
* UNICEF
* World Food Program
* International Organization for Migration
* Save the Children
* Medicare
* World Vision
Tho, the center is now abandoned.
## Why did the NGOs leave?
The NGOs left following the U.S. government’s decision to close USAID, the U.S. cooperation agency. This resulted in the freezing of crucial cooperation funds.
## What impact has the aid withdrawal had on residents?
The aid withdrawal has had a devastating impact.Yuleima Borja, the president of the settlement, has witnessed the loss of essential services firsthand. Healthcare access is severely limited, and essential programs for children, such as music, dance, food, and education reinforcements, have been eliminated.
## is there any hope for the future of the settlement?
Yes, there is some hope. Maicao Mayor Miguel Felipe Aragón has proposed modifying existing regulations to regularize the neighborhood and provide access to public services. He has approached the national government for assistance, but progress has been slow.
## What are the main challenges facing the settlement?
The legal status of the settlement remains a key challenge. Other challenges include:
* Lack of essential resources like food and water
* Vulnerability of children to exploitation
* Uncertain future due to the withdrawal of aid
* The need for better housing and infrastructure
* Limited government support
## What is the Mayor doing to help?
Maicao Mayor, Miguel Felipe Aragón, has proposed modifying existing regulations to regularize the neighborhood and provide access to public services. He has approached the national government for assistance with limited success. He has also expressed that he does not want to force people to leave their homes.
## what does the community hope for?
Yuleima Borja, as president of the settlement, hopes for legalization and improved living conditions, including proper houses, green areas, schools, health posts, and recreational spaces. She believes the exit of the NGOs pushed those dreams further away from reality.
## Can you summarize the key issues related to the migrant settlement in a table?
Here’s a summary of the challenges and the impact of the aid withdrawal:
| Issue | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Aid Withdrawal | Closure of USAID funding leading to the departure of numerous NGOs. | Loss of essential services (healthcare, education, food) and increased vulnerability. |
| living Conditions | Makeshift housing, scarcity of food and water. | Health risks, vulnerability of children. |
| Legal Status | Lack of legal recognition of the settlement. | Uncertainty about the future and limited access to public services. |
| Government Response | Limited assistance from the national government. | Slow progress towards regularization and improved living conditions. |