Mission Colombia

The FARC and the paramilitary organisations maintain solid support in the provinces, although internal security is the primary concern of Alvaro Uribe's government. At the heart of the war zones, the civilian populations are often the first to suffer from changes in the balance of power and are subject to the full force of the violence as well as its social and economic repercussions. In this context, uncertainty and inequalities have a strong hold, especially with respect to access to healthcare, as the transformations of the Colombian health system are having consequences which are still difficult to assess.

Civilian populations' access to healthcare

Meta Region

Activities: The rural population of this region is stigmatised by the simple fact of living in a war zone, which complicates access to health centres for security reasons. MdM's aim is to facilitate or restore access to healthcare for the most vulnerable through mobile health squads for mothers and children and training of teachers on sexual and reproductive health.
Outlook:
The south of the country, where the FARC's economic and military interests are concentrated, is the object of a vast government offensive aimed particularly at penetrating the FARC's historic areas and at eradicating the coca crops. We can expect movements of civilians leaving these areas where tension is likely to grow. In addition, the elections due in spring 2006 are likely to lead to an escalation in the conflict. MdM's health response in an increasinglyunstable situation depends on the team's capacity to adapt to changes in the situation.

Access to healthcare for the victims of armed conflicts

Rio Medio Atrato Region

Activities: In this strategic region, where the struggle to control the access corridors to the Pacific, Panama and the interior of the country is being played out, the paramilitaries' advance, the increasingly significant presence of the Colombian navy and the FARC's resistance are again forcing the black and indigenous populations, the victims of permanent blockades, to move in order to avoid further repression for supposed collaboration with one of the armed groups. Médecins du Monde is providing direct medical assistance to the indigenous Emberas communities, especially the women and children who find it difficult to get access to healthcare as they live in the middle of the armed confrontation.

Outlook:
The upsurge of the conflict, which affects the entire Colombian population, is already causing new displacements of communities living along the different tributaries of the Atrato. MdM's permanent presence amongst these doubly-stigmatised minorities is a guarantee of an appropriate humanitarian response.

Promoting the right to health

Bogota

Activities: As part of the “Access to healthcare” project, MdM has carried out a study, from practices in the field, of the consequences of privatising the Colombian health system on access to healthcare for the populations monitored by MdM

Outlook:
Presentation of report in 2005 / 2006..

July 2006