UN HUMANITARIAN SITUATION ROOM - COLOMBIA REPORT AUGUST 2004
I. NATIONAL CONTEXT
• As a response to the serious humanitarian crisis suffered by the communities along the San Juan River (Chocó), between August 21st and 24th a joint mission was conducted in order to observe the conditions in the area. This zone has been impacted by increased conflict over the past several months.
As mission included participation by the Ombudsman’s Chocó Regional Office, the Regional Ombudsman’s Office, DASALUD – Chocó, the SSN Chocó Regional office, the local ombudsman of Istmina, the Mayor’s Office and the local ombudsman of Medio San Juan, along with the Diocese of Istmina-Tadó. There was support and accompaniment offered by representatives from UNHCR, OCHA and CODHES.
The mission calculated that due to confrontations, no fewer than 1,376 persons were displaced to the municipal seats of Istmina and Medio San Juan. Also, in addition to the 155 families (640 persons) already registered in SUR by SSN, the mission received information from another 149 families (606 persons) not registered in SUR who were displaced from San Miguel and Salado-Isla de Cruz, to Bebedó, Chambacú, Dipurdú, Paimadó, Puerto Murillo and Las Quebradas. There were an undetermined number of families who still remain behind, living along rivers and in mountainous areas.
The mission confirmed that the blockade has been ongoing for more than two months and was put in place by armed groups. The blockade obstructs the free movement of persons and the transport of foodstuffs and traditional products that are normally acquired in Istmina municipality. This situation has impacted local health conditions, food security and education services for all of these communities, with a particularly harsh impact among children, since the blockade also affects food programs for local schools.
• On August 6th, before an audience of 180 persons, UNHCR presented the “Balance of Public Policy for Prevention and Attendance of Forced Displacement in Colombia 2002-2004”. This brought together conclusions and recommendations based on an evaluation that included holding 10 “roundtable” discussions on regional topics, along with interviews with 23 experts from State and Civil Society institutions.
As part of this evaluation, UNHCR has stated that there has been important progress made, including Government recognition of the existence of a humanitarian crisis in Colombia, an established legal framework, and improvements to emergency assistance provided to persons involved in mass displacements. In addition, UNHCR expressed its concern regarding a lack of emergency assistance for individual displacements, the dismantling of important positive discrimination policies for IDPs, and a government emphasis on returns as the sole long-run solution.
• The Consultoría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento, CODHES, published in its Bulletin #54, a report on the humanitarian situation along the border. The document highlights the critical situation faced by Colombians fleeing the armed conflict and fumigation operations against illicit crops to Ecuador. CODHES noted that Ecuadorian social organizations have reported the persecution and assassination of Colombians who are members of refugee organizations; many family members have made formal allegations of these events to the Ecuadorian authorities.
CODHES also expressed concern regarding what it considers the “invisibility” of the conflict along the border with Panama, as well as the closure of that border, which could lead to negative impacts for the protection of the civilian population attempting to flee the conflict.
CODHES has noted an increase in forced displacement along the borders. Throughout 2003, according to SISDHES, a total of 19,378 persons were displaced across the borders, while during the first six months of 2004 a total of 14,079 persons were displaced in border areas.
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II. ARMED CONFLICT - AFFECTED POPULATION
A) Population movements
Sucre: SUR registered 251 families. Guajira: Uribia: Return of 520 persons.
Chocó: Istmina: Displacement of 150 families.Istmina, Medio San Juan and Cesar: Becerril and Valledupar: At- Sipí: At-risk communities. risk communities.
A ntioquia: Ituango: Displacement of 22 families. San Carlos: Displ acement of 79 persons. San Carlos, San Francisco and Sons ón: At-risk communities. Casanare: Aguazul, Maní, Monterrey and Tauramena: At- risk communities.
Valle del Cauca: Calima – Darién: Displacement of 73 persons. Tuluá: Displacement of 58 families. Return of 96 persons. Arauca: Puerto Rondón and
Tame: At-risk communities.
R isaralda: Pereira and Quinchía: Displ acement of 17 families to Pereir a, 12 families to Quinchíaand an undetermined number from Caldas to other departments. Cundinamarca: Apulo: At-risk community.
Caldas: La Merced: At-risk Nariño: Cumbitara and Policarpo community. Displacement of several families Policarpa: At-risk communities..
Caquetá: Curillo: Displacement of approximately 200 persons.
Amazonas: SUR registered 9 families
B) Other Impact