EU humanitarian aid to victims of internal conflict in Colombia

Sommaire: April 2, 2004: Commission adopts a new plan to deliver 8 million euros in humanitarian aid to victims of internal conflict in Colombia (Brussels)

The European Commission has adopted a new €8 million humanitarian aid plan for Colombia. Its objectives are firstly to provide protection, assistance and relief to the many victims of the internal conflict in Colombia and secondly to alleviate the negative consequences of the massive population movements that the conflict has provoked, primarily within Colombia, but also in neighbouring countries like Ecuador.

The Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Poul Nielson. said: "I recently met with Vice-President Francisco Santos Calderón to discuss the humanitarian situation of Colombia. I expressed my deep concern over the plight of internally displaced persons and reiterated the Commission's intention to continue its assistance to this very vulnerable group. The decision today is a confirmation of this engagement."

Colombia has the world's largest internally displaced population (IDP) with almost 3 million forcibly displaced since 1985. The displaced are often forced to live in precarious shelters without access to basic services such as water or sanitation. Food shortages are widespread and certain communities are besieged or blockaded by armed groups and consequently find themselves cut-off from social services, including health and education services. The large number of IDP's is also causing social and environmental degradation in the receiving communities which are typically rural. The conflict in Colombia is increasingly having an effect on neighbouring countries. An estimated 50.000 Colombians (a number continuously rising) have sought refuge in Ecuador.

In response to this situation the Commission will:

Support the humanitarian programme of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Colombia. An expected 120.000 IDP's will receive basic food and non-food items for three months following forced displacement and primary and emergency health care will be given to persons held by armed groups;

Seek to improve the living conditions and promote the social integration of IDP's and other vulnerable groups in rural areas in the regions most affected by displacement. Approximately 40.000 people are expected to benefit from these activities which include improvement of shelter conditions, securing access to water, sanitation, health care and education and provision of food aid;
Enhance the co-ordination and the quality of humanitarian assistance in Colombia through support for the humanitarian situation room of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA);
Improve conditions for Colombian refugees and asylum seekers in Ecuador. Refugees and asylum seekers will upon arrival be registered by the government, with strong practical support and protection from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Newly arrived refugees will receive emergency assistance to cover basic needs and micro projects will promote their integration in the Ecuadorian host communities. An estimated 30.000 refugees will benefit from this assistance.

Since 1994 ECHO has allocated more than €100 million in humanitarian assistance to Colombia. The Commission is also heavily engaged in development assistance to Colombia, which follows on from and is coordinated with ECHO's emergency assistance. €105 million is foreseen in programmable assistance to Colombia from 2002-06. Priority sectors are (i) support to local peace initiatives; (ii) administrative and judicial reform; and (iii) mine clearance.

More information on ECHO activities:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm

Ref: EC04-077EN
Source UE: Commission Européenne
UN forum:
Date: 2/4/2004

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