humanitarian situation report | N°26

SEPTEMBER 18 - 24 1 humanitarian situation report | N°26

I. SITUATION AND EVENTS

EVENTS PER DEPARTMENT MASS DISPLACEMENTS IN NARIÑO Antioquia 18 100 people displaced in and Cumbal Cesar 6 Valle del Cauca 5 Tolima 5 PAHO reported a new displacement in a rural Cumbitara on Norte de Santander 4 September 20, after a series of alleged murders perpetrated by Nariño 4 FARC. This is the second displacement event in the Cumbitara Santander 3 during 2007 (see issue # 12 May 15 – 21). Local sources highlighted Cordoba 3 Cauca 3 the high risk of displacement of the remaining population that did not Risaralda 2 displace. ICRC and the local government are assisting protection Meta 2 and assistance needs. IASC Nariño and the Protection and Magdalena 2 Assistance Thematic Groups continue to monitor the event. Huila 2 Chocó 2 Bolívar 2 On the other hand, the Early Warning System of the Ombudsman’s Quindío 1 Office reported a mass displacement from rural Cumbal on Putumayo 1 September 10. Twelve families arrived to nearby rural settlements Casanare 1 Caqueta 1 due to the presence of minefields and threats by alleged members Arauca 1 of FARC. Increasing UXO/ERW may cause further displacements over the upcoming days/weeks. Only 30 people have been 0 5 10 15 20 registered as IDPs by the local Ombudsman’s Office. EVENTS

Armed confrontations 43 MASS DISPLACEMENT TOWARDS THE TOWN

Homicide 7 OF PITALITO IN HUILA Seven families from Caquetá and Tolima displaced Homicide of protected person 5 due to armed confrontations and threats. Threats 4 Local press sources reported 40 people arrived to the urban area of Attack against civilians 3 Pitalito on September 17 as a consequence of sustained armed Kidnapping 2 confrontations between the Army and FARC, as well as of constant threats from the latter. IDPs, arriving from Planadas and Garzón Attack against infrastructure 2 (Tolima department) and Curillo (Caquetá), denounced that alleged Mass displacement events 1 members of FARC threatened to kill them and recruit their sons. The local Ombudsman’s Office is registering IDPs and asked Illegal chekpoint 1 Pastoral Social (Catholic NGO) for support in the assistance of the

0 1020304050 population because the municipality lacks the capacity to face the emergency. ARMED CONFRONTATIONS

1, 2% 1, 2% 1, 2% 4, 9% BOMBARDMENTS WOULD BE CAUSING DISPLACEMENT IN ARAUCA The Peasant’s Association of Arauca (ACA) 13, 31% denounced serious consequences of bombardments in the rural areas of the department

According to the regional office of Pastoral Social, over the last month almost 143 families displaced within Arauca department due to military operations in 6 areas. ACA informed that there is 23, 54% increasing concern among the population regarding their lives, properties and belongings. Local organizations are requesting the National Government to designate a high-level commission in order Army - Delinquency Army - ELN Army - FARC to verify the impact of operations in the region. Army - New Band Police - Aguilas Negras Police - ELN

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FOLLOW-UP: , AND MOSQUERA IN i) Conditions of the displaced Awa indigenous communities remains critical in Tumaco; until September 24, the number of IDPs was 1,080 (488 children, 20 pregnant women, 271 women, 196 men and 53 older persons). ii) Nearly 1,000 houses resulted damaged and 100 destroyed by the earthquake that hit the Pacific Coast in El Charco. iii) UNHCR highlight 3,000 would be at high risk of displacement in Mosquera due to continued combats between FARC and Águilas Negras.

After the displacement of Awa communities from their reservations in rural Tumaco to a nearby school on September 18, humanitarian organisms reported that the affected population has still not been entirely assisted, and that there are critical WatSan and housing conditions. During the Local Committee for IDPs Integral Assistance’ meeting on September 19, local and regional authorities decided to send a health brigade, a mobile unit of ICBF and food aid. UNHCR, present in the area since September 20, reported critical housing and livelihood conditions as well as the lack of potable water due to the contamination of water sources. Moreover, the school facility where IDPs are settled has a limited capacity for only 50% of the population and there is only one doctor to assist them. Consequently, heads of families are having to return to their crops for food, which poses a high risk for them.

Acción Social delivered food aid and issued a communiqué denouncing the situation; ICBF, Pastoral Social, the Ombudsman’s Office and the local government are assisting the population. UNHCR provided 5 water tanks with a capacity of 2,000 liters. OCHA is monitoring the situation. On September 24 the IASC Nariño held a meeting in order to assess the situation and define actions. There are concerns regarding the lack of humanitarian aid in general, as well as for the absence of an ethnic and gender approach in the assistance. Solidarity International and MSF will visit the affected population on September 25 and 26 respectively. According to the local ethnic authority UNIPA who will undertake a mission to the besieged communities, nearly 5,000 Awás from 5 reservations are at high risk due to armed confrontations.

On other accounts, after the earthquake that hit the Pacific Coast on September 9, the local Ombudsman’s Office reported that 729 houses were damaged and 50 were destroyed in the urban area; in the rural area 175 houses were damaged and 49 were destroyed. The Ombudsman requested humanitarian aid for the population, as well as food and non-food items (clothing and mattresses). Regarding the conflict situation, UNHCR reported that there is still a risk of a mass displacement in the rural areas; there are strong concerns regarding a food crisis among the population. 150 IDPs that need assistance remain settled in the town.

KEY ISSUES ADDRESSED BY PRESIDENT URIBE’S STATEMENT BEFORE THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY At the 62nd Session, Uribe made reference to the governmental Democratic Security Policy, social and economic progresses, the paramilitary demobilisation and mediation with FARC and ELN (September 26)

* The president’s statement summarised economic and social figures highlighting economic growth and the increase and extended coverage of social programmes and services, particularly to vulnerable population and IDPs, during his administration. * When making reference to the governmental Democratic Security Policy, Uribe recalled that in 2002 suffered 29,000 homicides (196 trade unionists), while by the end of 2006 this number had dropped by 40% and (and a drop 0f 70% in the case of trade unionists). He also referred to similar results in terms of kidnappings, protection of journalists and civil rights. * In regards to DDR Uribe recalled that in 2002 there were 60,000 combatants altogether from FARC and ELN, as well as from self-defense groups. He then said that through a “costly and complex” demobilisation and reintegration process, Colombia now has 11,000; firmly stating that paramilitarism is extinct. “Today there is no paramilitarism. There are guerrillas and drug traffickers (…). Today, the only one that combats guerrillas is the State, which has recovered the monopoly it should have never lost”. * He referred to the humanitarian agreement with FARC and endorsed mediation offices offered by presidents Chávez and Sarkozy, and recalled the unilateral release of 177 FARC combatants, including Rodrigo Granda at the requests of France’s leader. However, he also pointed out this gesture was answered by FARC’s “treacherous murder of 11 assemblymen from Valle del Cauca” held kidnapped for more than 5 years. Although he said to be supportive of a political negotiation with FARC and ELN, he said he will not authorise a demilitarised zone on the basis of the precedent experience in El Caguán.

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MAP OF ELECTORAL RISK REVEALED 52% OF THE COUNTRY IS AT-RISK In total, 576 municipalities face risks for the upcoming local elections; 237 classified with extreme risk according to the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE), integrated by researchers from various universities, NGOs and other organisations (September 26)

These results were acknowledged by the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, but said that it would be “false and irresponsible” to say half the country is at-risk. MOE’s findings indicate FARC threaten elections through extortions, murders and kidnappings in the departments of Tolima, Antioquia, Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Arauca; while “emerging bands” pose hazards in Caldas, Huila, Caquetá, Casanare, Meta, Norte de Santander, Valle del Cauca, Putumayo, Chocó and Magdalena (see attached map). The study was revealed in the midst of claims issued by many candidates, including those from the government’s coalition, who say they are being threatened, kidnapped and murdered by FARC who view them as allies of a “paramilitary government”. In this regard, two candidates from Tolima were killed last weekend. However, it is worth noting that violence figures are lower than those compared to parliamentary elections last year and the 2003 local elections.

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