Covid-19 as a Syndemic in the Colombian Rural Areas: Gaps and Inequalities

The advent of Covid-19 in Colombia has exacerbated the historic and persistent inequalities in the rural territories where the mismatch between the design of public policy instruments and the implementation in the most dispersed zones now becomes stronger. Consequently, it is more evident now that primary health care services, communication channels, education and job opportunities are poor. After a literature review, this paper discusses on the inequality in the rural areas and points out the impact of the pandemic on the agrifood systems, rural jobs, health, and gender equity. Finally, this paper underlines the need to pay attention to the call by local communities and organizations asking for public policies intended to serve the needs in their territories. It is also recommended to goa head with the implementation of the Integral Rural Reform, which will contribute to the structural transformation of the countryside and will ensure their sustain-able and inclusive reactivation.