UNHCR opened the Lago Agrio Field Office in 2000, covering Sucumbíos and Orellana Provinces, and bordering Colombia. The area is an economic hub for tourism and oil extraction. Despite the wealth of natural resources and ecological importance of the Amazon basin, there is an absence of government services and socio-economic development. The pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and housing needs, as well as increased barriers to access education and health care. While the area has historically faced security challenges due to the context in neighbouring parts of Colombia, in 2022 and 2023, insecurity has significantly increased, bringing a host of new protection risks and operational challenges.
Initially, UNHCR opened the office to respond to the arrivals of Colombians who were forced to flee their country. Currently, the area continues to receive a large flow of Colombian refugees, as well as Venezuelans who haved steadily arrived since 2017. Protection risks are increased by entry through irregular paths, the presence of irregular armed groups and organized criminal groups, and environmental risks. UNHCR works closely with local authorities to improve reception conditions for Colombians and Venezuelans, support access to humanitarian assistance, and local integration within host communities, as well as support for access to rights and services in the context of a fluid and challenging security environment.