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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.  Key document9-2-2010 ICRC survey on the impact of armed conflict on civilians: views from ColombiaTo raise awareness of the impact of armed conflict or other situations of armed violence on civilians, in 2009 the ICRC conducted a vast research programme in eight of the most troubled countries in the world. This report presents the consolidated results of the survey in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Report Includes PDF 16-10-2009 Colombia: more than 40 years on, the conflict continues – photo gallery The population of Colombia is still feeling the impact of a conflict that began in the 1960s. The ICRC continues to help ease the suffering of the most vulnerable – the injured, the displaced, detainees and families of missing persons. These photos were taken in February and March 2009 by war photographer Franco Pagetti, from the VII photo agency. (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo 16-9-2009 Colombia: ICRC activities from April to June 2009 The armed conflict in Colombia is having a major impact on public health. Attacks on medical personnel are hindering community access to basic health services, and many of those injured are not receiving effective and appropriate medical attention. In response to these concerns, in April the ICRC took part in the first national seminar on the delivery of medical services in wartime.
(The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo Event24-11-2009 The Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World Cartagena, Colombia, 29 November - 4 December 2009. Second Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. (Info resources\Events) Event Includes Photo Feature2-3-2010 Colombia: I am a strong, determined mother Sexual violence related to Colombia's armed conflict is on the increase. Affecting women, men and children. Many victims fail to report attacks, either because they are afraid of being stigmatized or because they have received threats. The story is repeated again and again. In silence. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 2-12-2009 Colombia: tools for building a better future Most civilian victims of weapon contamination in Colombia live in rural areas, but returning to agricultural work after an accident can be difficult. In many cases, they have to leave their homes and move to a city, alone or with their families, to get the medical treatment they need. Many are also forced to leave the area for safety reasons. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 11-11-2009 Colombian: a displaced mother who lost 2 sons: "you never get over it" Millions of people have been displaced over decades of armed conflict in Colombia, and tens of thousands are missing. Cruz del Carmen faces a triple tragedy: her husband was killed, two of her children are missing, and she was displaced from her farm twelve years ago. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 19-10-2009 Sandra, imprisoned guerrilla fighter: "being separated from my child is extremely hard" In Bogotá's Good Shepherd prison, dozens of women who had fought for one of Colombia's many armed groups struggle to maintain ties with their children. Sandra is one of them, and she is clinging to hope for her future, despite a long prison sentence. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 23-6-2009 Victims of armed conflict in Colombia: "Speak for us!" As part of the Our world. Your move. campaign marking the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the ICRC has commissioned research into the experiences and opinions of civilians coping with armed conflict and violence in eight countries. Eros Bosisio, who coordinated the research, describes his experiences in Colombia. (Focus\Social research on war) Feature Includes Photo 24-4-2009 Colombia: the moment that will stay with María Elena for the rest of her life At 10.30 pm on 16 October 2008 a stray bullet passed through the wooden walls of María Elena’s bedroom, smashing into her left arm. Miraculously it missed her 16-month-old baby who was being breastfed at the time. It is a moment she will never forget. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 18-11-2008 Colombia: surviving a mine accidentAlthough Juan still suffers from severe headaches and back pain and has trouble sleeping, he feels lucky: he is a mine survivor. He is one of the 2,000 civilian victims of accidents caused by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel landmines in Colombia between 2002 and 2007. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature ICRC film7-12-2009 Our world at war: 10 multimedia clips from 8 conflict zones Five award-winning war photographers from the VII photo agency – James Nachtwey, Franco Pagetti, Antonin Kratchovil, Ron Haviv and Christopher Morris - and the ICRC united to bring individual stories of loss and suffering in war to the forefront of the world’s attention: women struggling to recover from sexual violence, families coping with displacement, and people victimized by gang warfare. The project also drew attention to the inspirational efforts, by ordinary men and women, to limit human suffering in some of the most violent corners of the world. This DVD features 10 multimedia clips from eight war-affected countries. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\RC Movement) ICRC film Includes Video 27-2-2007 Colombia: searching for safety Colombia 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 ICRC Publication30-11-2007 A review of the displaced population in eight cities of Colombia: local institutional response, living conditions and recommendations for their assistanceBetween November 2006 and June 2007, the ICRC and World Food Programme undertook a study of the displaced populations in eight Colombian cities. The following executive summary brings together the results of the study and the recommendations that came out of it. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross30-9-2009 Internal displacement in Colombia: humanitarian, economic and social consequences in urban settings and current challengesThis article gives an overview of internal displacement and the IDP assistance system in Colombia. It analyses the particular difficulties faced by IDPs moving from rural to urban areas, as well as the challenges posed to governmental and humanitarian actors by the IDP influx into cities. (Info resources\International Review\2009 - No. 875) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-12-2008 Interview with The Hon. Sergio Jaramillo Caro, Vice Minister of Defence in ColombiaThe Honourable Sergio Jaramillo Caro is Vice Minister of Defence in Colombia. Prior to this, he held several diplomatic and governmental positions, including adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (where he was in charge of diplomacy for peace), Political Counsellor of the Embassy of Colombia in France, and Adviser for Political and Strategic Affairs of the Ministry of Defence. (Info resources\International Review\2008 - No. 872) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview3-4-2009 Colombia: providing access to water during armed conflict The lack of a reliable water supply is, for some communities, the result of isolation and poverty. Armed conflict can also limit people’s access to water. Honduras Motilona is a settlement in north-eastern Colombia, an area that has been severely affected by the conflict. Here, in 2008, the ICRC worked with the community and the local authorities to build an aqueduct. Paola Ximena Cárdenas, ICRC water and habitat specialist, describes the project in more detail. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Video 5-2-2009 Colombia: emotions flow as released captives are reunited with their families The ICRC is helping to prepare the release of former lawmaker Sigifredo López, currently held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Patricia Danzi, ICRC head of operations for Latin America, describes recent missions that enabled five other people to return to their families. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 30-1-2009 Colombia: ICRC helps prepare release of persons held by FARCIn Colombia, the ICRC is preparing to facilitate the release of six persons currently being held by the FARC. Christophe Beney, the ICRC's head of delegation, explains his organization's involvement in this mission. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview 18-7-2008 Colombia: release of persons in the hands of FARCThe recent release of 15 hostages and detainees in Colombia and the use of the Red Cross emblem during this operation have hit the world's headlines. The ICRC's head of operations for Latin America, Maria dos Anjos Gussing, answers some questions. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Operational update29-5-2009 Colombia: ICRC activities from January to March 2009 The armed conflict in Colombia has had serious consequences, hitting many communities hard and isolating others. Food and other resources are scarce. Between January and March 2009, the ICRC set up new agricultural projects for local farmers and displaced persons, to help families meet their basic needs. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo 15-4-2009 Colombia: humanitarian situation deteriorates An overview of ICRC activities in Colombia in 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo 26-2-2009 Colombia: infrastructure projects to enhance the quality of life of victims of the armed conflict  In Colombia, many communities affected by the armed conflict are contending with problems caused by the lack of infrastructure or by weapon contamination. In many places, the population struggles to obtain drinking water, basic sanitary services are lacking and access to education, health and the means of subsistence is obstructed. ICRC activities in Colombia, October - December 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo Press article24-9-2007 Flight of the Colombians Colombia’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 Report2-4-2008 ICRC action to protect and assist the victims of armed conflict in Colombia In 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) Report Includes Photo Video Collection10-11-2009 Mines continue to shatter lives in Colombia In February 2009 Francisco, 20, and a friend from his hamlet set off to earn a day's wage and unknowingly stepped into a mine field. Francisco survived, but at a terrible cost. This is his story. In Colombia, many lives are broken in rural communities who continue to suffer due to the use of landmines. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video Other site |
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