OCHA Situation Report No. 27/28
Colombia
6 - 19 July 2009


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Displacements and violence against civilians increase in Cordoba
department Civilians in the south of Cordoba department are at high risk
as a consequence of the ongoing armed confrontations.

The Defensoria del Pueblo issued a report on the critical situation
endured by peasant and indigenous communities in the region, as operations
of coca crops eradication and the dispute for territorial control by
illegal armed groups continue.

Displacements, minefield accidents, confined communities, forced
recruitment of children and young men, threats and homicides against
community leaders have increased during the last months.

According to preliminary information from the local Ombudsman, between 7
and 8 July, 11 families (42 persons) from the village of San Felipe de
Cadillo displaced towards the urban area of Tierralta, fleeing form
intense combats between the army and non-state armed groups. Though
additional information regarding the population census is still
unavailable, the source informed that most of the families are
female-headed. IDPs are currently staying in the houses of their relatives
and friends, in poor conditions due to overcrowding.

The same source reported that 224 Senu and Ebera Katio indigenous persons
were displaced from their reservation in the municipality of Montelibano.
The IDPs arrived in the village of Juan Jose (in the municipality of
Puerto Libertador) on 7 July. Reportedly,the number of IDPs could be more.
So far, IDPs are staying in a school facility, in poor shelter and food
conditions. Through a public statement, indigenous authorities of the Senu
indigenous reservation requested the armed actors for respect for their
lives and territories.

CODHES reported an increase in forced displacements in almost every
village of the municipalities of Montelibano, Puerto Libertador and
Tierralta, towards the urban areas, confirmed by the local Ombudsmen in
the region.

The Defensoria del Pueblo is conducting a verifying mission in the area,
and has urged national and departmental authorities to implement
protection measures for indigenous and peasant communities.

Confined communities in Choco department

Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have continuously been victims
of illegal armed actors in the area.

The local association of social organizations "Foro Interetnico de
Solidaridad Choco" denounced that 165 Embera indigenous families (629
persons) are facing mobility restrictions in the municipality of Bojaya,
due to armed confrontations between non-state armed groups. In order to
assess the situation, the indigenous organization ASOREWA visited the area
on 15 July.

Forced recruitment of children and teenagers

Cases were reported in Cordoba and Magdalena departments.

According to the Defensoria del Pueblo, former members of demobilized
paramilitary groups were captured in a rural area of Cordoba department
trying to recruit 16 young men for illegal armed groups. These groups
offer a monthly salary (nearly $500 US) to young men between 15 and 25
years. In Magdalena department, the Ombudsman reported an increase in the
denounces regarding forced recruitment of children and teenagers.
According to these denounces, recruitment takes place in marginal areas of
the city of Santa Marta.

Violence against Awa indigenous people continues

Two more members of the community ?a man and his pregnant wife- were
killed on 17 July.

The Awa indigenous organization, UNIPA denounced that the two indigenous
were killed in the road that connects the municipality of Tumaco with
Pasto ?capital city of Narino department- in unknown circumstances. 22 Awa
indigenous have been killed during 2009.

Follow-up: Displacement in Ituango

On 17 July, 800 IDPs voluntarily returned to their homes in eight villages
in the rural area of Ituango, three weeks after their displacement. In
order to ensure the security of the returnees, the Army installed three
provisional security posts along the roads that connect the villages. ICRC
provided food and personal hygiene kits. Currently, 251 people from the
farthest villages remain the urban area. However, the persistence of
military operations in the area may require further humanitarian
assistance and contingency planning.

Full Report:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=0AE838FD7DC70DFA852575FC0051DE27&file=Full_Report.pdf

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