Mission Colombia
Infant mortality: 17‰
Life expectancy at birth: 72.3
HDI: 0.791; RANK 75/177
Real GDP/inhabitant ($): 2,682
International Delegations:
» MdM Spain
Population:
» Target, project 1: 8,517
» Target, project 2: 10,073
Personnel:
» Local, project 1: 13
» Local, project 2: 7
» Expatriate, project 1: 4
» Expatriate, project 2: 3
Funding:
» Project 1: ECHO, MdM
» Project 2: ECHO, MdM
Budget 2007:
» Project 1: 607,315 e
» Project 2: 457,228 e
Half of the Colombian population lives below the poverty line. The country is affected by social injustice, as well as by drug trafficking, the arms trade, and a complete lack of government in rural areas that are difficult to access or affected by conflict. Despite the army’s military successes against the guerrillas, the FARC puts up strong resistance. By liberating some ‘political’ hostages, representing a diplomatic openness internationally, the FARC rebels are seeking an opportunity to become recognised as a belligerent force. Civilians, and particularly ethnic minorities, are the first victims of this conflict.
Project 1 :
Access to healthcare for victims of armed conflict - Medio Atrato River region
Activities :
MdM facilitates access to healthcare for communities affected by conflict. Because of their vulnerability,
our mobile teams have given particular medical attention to children and women. These teams also train health promoters. With the aim of complementing traditional medicine, MdM is working in collaboration with jaibanas (healers), and has launched a project harvesting medicinal plants, based on an animist culture.
Outlook :
Continuing our collaboration with herbalists and the jaibanas. Refocusing our activities on strategic corridors in order to ensure health coverage for the vulnerable communities.
Project 2 :
Access to healthcare for vulnerable civilians - Meta
Activities :
Because of the shortage of doctors and lack of health facilities, MdM aims to ensure access to healthcare for the civilian population in a heavily militarised zone and to respond to emergency situations linked to the conflict. Mobile health brigades provide medical support.
Outlook :
To improve our response to the tense military situation and to develop our capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies so that we can better target our activities towards civilians who are weakened by the policy of massive coca eradication and are faced with increasing pressure from armed groups.
August 2008