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| Section The ICRC in Colombia ©ICRC/B. Heger/ref. co-e-00136
Aid to internally displaced people
The ICRC has been present in Colombia since 1969, with its main objective being to assure a greater respect for international humanitarian law by all armed groups - particularly regarding the protection of persons not taking part in the conflict. It also strives to provide emergency assistance to the displaced and other victims of the conflict and implements public health programmes and small-scale infrastructure rehabilitation projects in conflict-affected areas.
The integration of international humanitarian law into the training of the Colombian armed forces and police taking part in military operations is another of the ICRC's priorities, along with efforts to strengthen the National Society's response capacity in conflict-affected areas and the coordination of its activities with other parts of the Movement, including the International Federation.  Key document3-4-2008 Colombia: ICRC stands ready to facilitate humanitarian visits to hostagesThere are growing media reports about the deteriorating health of Ingrid Betancourt and a possible humanitarian mission to visit her and other hostages held by the Colombian armed group, FARC. The ICRC's head of operations for Latin America, Maria Dos Anjos Gussing, talks about a possible role for the ICRC in such an action should all parties agree. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 2-4-2008 ICRC action to protect and assist the victims of armed conflict in ColombiaIn her preface to the 2007 Annual Report on ICRC's activities in Colombia, head of delegation Barbara Hintermann gives an overview of the organization's action in favour of victims of the internal armed conflict and evokes the suffering endured by civilians forced to abandon their homes. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Includes Photo Feature9-5-2008 Colombia/Panama: a Red Cross message crosses the Darién forestLiris Copete and her mother Roquelina Córdoba had to flee Colombia and take refuge in Punusa, in the Panamanian province of Darién, on account of constant clashes in the area where they lived. In 2004, they again had to move in search of safety. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Panama) Feature Includes Photo 7-9-2007 “Her daughter and grandson were spared, but her husband was killed”“Less than a month after they arrived in the area, these people started coming into the village. They would gather us together and warn us not to give anything to any other armed men who came to the village. They threatened us constantly. Wives and mothers cried for their husbands and sons who had gone missing”. This is how Amalia de la Concepción Navarro describes the situation that she faced when living in a village in the Montes de María area (Sucre). (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 28-8-2007 “In four months we lost what took us over eight years to build”Essentially, Aurora Ávila is a leader. The problems she faced in her life confirmed her calling to do community work. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 27-8-2007 “. . . we’re never going back there, that’s for sure”Ana Soila and José Genaro never imagined that after 34 years of marriage they would have to start their lives all over again. Frightened by what had occurred where they lived, they decided to move and leave everything behind. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature 27-8-2007 Colombia: the ICRC assistance programme for the displacedTo be displaced is not just to have to flee. To be displaced is to lose everything. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Colombians are forced to abandon their homes to save their lives. Ten years ago, the ICRC launched an emergency humanitarian assistance programme for Colombia's displaced. Since then, it has helped more than a million displacement victims. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature 21-5-2007 Colombia: the civilian population is still suffering the consequences of the armed conflictThe 40 years of armed conflict is still taking its toll on the civilian population in Colombia. In April and May of 2007, the International Red Cross Committee delegation provided 106 tonnes of food and other basic necessities to meet the most pressing needs of over 6,000 people forced to flee their homes by the armed conflict. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature ICRC film27-2-2007 Colombia: searching for safetyColombia has been ravaged by over four decades of armed conflict. An estimated three million people have fled violence in the countryside. In this film, we meet Carmen, Maria and Anna who have moved to Bogota in search of safety. They survive, despite their minimal income and the constant fear of further violence, receiving some help from the ICRC's emergency assistance programme. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video Interview29-2-2008 Colombia: the ICRC's role in the latest release of hostagesFollowing the latest release of four hostages held by the FARC in Colombia, Maria Dos Anjos Gussing, the ICRC's head of operations for Latin America and the Caribbean, talks about the organization's role in the recent operation. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 18-1-2008 Colombia: how the ICRC helped in the release of Clara and ConsueloThe freeing of the two women hostages highlighted the ICRC's work in the long conflict in Colombia, which has created millions of victims. Barbara Hintermann, head of the ICRC delegation in Bogota, gives the background to the release operation and to broader aspects of ICRC concern. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 13-12-2007 Colombia: improving displaced people's access to education, work and housingInterview with Christina Oberli, economic security project coordinator for the ICRC's delegation in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo Official Statement5-9-2007 Colombia: It's not just about leaving home. It's about losing everything.“Colombia has one of the largest numbers of internally displaced persons in the world. Death threats, fighting, killings of family members and the forced recruitment of minors have led to constant displacement in various parts of the country.” In this article, ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger explains what the organization is doing for displaced persons in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Official Statement Operational update11-3-2008 Colombia: ICRC activities from January to December 2007An overview of the ICRC’s humanitarian activities in Colombia in 2007. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Press article24-9-2007 Flight of the ColombiansColombia’s conflict is the longest of modern times, still continuing after more than 45 years. Hardly anyone is spared by the violence. Some have no choice but to leave their homes to escape threats, harassment or worse. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Press article Other site |
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