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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. Our world. Your move. in Colombia
The year 2009 has great significance for the ICRC and the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: it marks the 150th anniversary of the battle of Solferino and the 60th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. In observance of these anniversaries, the Movement has launched a campaign, Our world. Your move, to remind everyone of his or her individual responsibility to lessen human suffering.
Colombia is one of the countries being highlighted as part of the campaign. While conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups has decreased in recent years, attacks on civilians continue, hundreds of people are still being held hostage and thousands are still unable to return to their homes.  Key document16-10-2009 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 2009The 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 10-8-2009 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, the ICRC has launched a vast research programme in eight of the most troubled countries in the world. These reports present the results of the survey in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Report Includes PDF 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 Event2-10-2009 The Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free WorldCartagena, 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 Feature11-11-2009 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 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 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 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 Cross31-12-2008 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 conflictThe 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 familiesThe 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 Includes Photo 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 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 Operational update29-5-2009 Colombia: ICRC activities from January to March 2009The 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 15-4-2009 Colombia: humanitarian situation deterioratesAn 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 29-1-2009 Colombia: ICRC activities from July to September 2008Overview of the ICRC's activities in Colombia: protecting people deprived of their liberty, restoring family links, reducing the risks associated with weapon contamination, assisting the displaced, working on water and habitat projects, providing medical support, and promoting international humanitarian law. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update 5-9-2008 Colombia: ICRC activities from April to June 2008The use of anti-personnel landmines, improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war in Colombia is a source of concern for the ICRC. Weapon contamination has a major impact on the civilian population: it causes indiscriminate damage and affects thousands of people, destroying families and communities. It has psychological as well as physical and socio-economic consequences. The ICRC has developed a range of initiatives designed to address these needs. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo 12-6-2008 Colombia: ICRC activities from January to March 2008The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) remains concerned about the fate of thousands of Colombians displaced by armed conflict. From January to March 2008, it provided assistance for close to 21,800 of them. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo, PDF 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 Report2-4-2008 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) 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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