The COVID-19 crisis has profoundly impacted the efforts to build and sustain peace. In many countries, there has been a rise in internal and community conflicts.  The challenges posed by the over-securitized government responses, the risks to public health, and in some cases, competition over resources have intensified internal and community conflicts.

In Colombia, Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Coalitions reported that physical violence against their populations has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures put in place to contain its spread. They point in particular to the increased activity of illegal armed groups,and clashes between the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia, AGC) and the National Liberation Army (Ejercito de Liberación Nacional, ELN). According to information provided by GNWP local partners, there have been spikes of communal violence in Jonglei, Warap and Lake states in South Sudan; as well as increase in farmer-pastoralists clashes in Kitgum, Uganda. These have been attributed to the limited presence of government and the UN due to COVID-19, as well as lowered capacities of peacebuilding organizations who usually work to lower tensions, mediate and address root causes of conflicts.

Explore the data in the dashboard to learn more.