Colombia UNHCR s Protection and Assistance Programme for IDPs and Refugees March 2004

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1 Colombia UNHCR s Protection and Assistance Programme for IDPs and Refugees March 2004

2 Context Armed conflict has created internal displacement throughout Colombia, and refugee movements into Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá and Venezuela. During 2003, this conflict intensified in the areas bordering Ecuador and Venezuela. Prospects of a negotiated solution with all actors in the conflict are distant. Several bomb attacks carried out in urban centres in 2003 were attributed by the Government to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Since the end of 2002, the Government has been in negotiation with the largest paramilitary group in the country, the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). It is expected that these talks will lead to the demobilisation of some 10,000 combatants, to be completed by The Government of Colombia is promoting the return of IDPs, and intends to facilitate and support the reintegration of IDP families into their areas of origin by providing them with access to shelter and productive activities. The emphasis on return has affected the implementation of policies and programmes in favour of IDPs local integration. In 2003, UNHCR s government counterpart, the Red de Solidaridad Social (RSS) reported the return of some 36,000 IDPs. UNHCR and other international organisations are monitoring the return movements to ensure that the minimum criteria of voluntariness, safety and sustainability are met. There are 84 indigenous groups in Colombia. According to a national organisation of indigenous people, virtually all of them have been affected by forced displacement and threats by irregular armed groups. The Government of Colombia has sought the involvement of Ecuador, Panamá and Venezuela in monitoring and securing border areas, including the prevention of arms-trafficking, tighter border controls, financial measures to prevent money laundering, and the sharing of intelligence. The Colombian Government also signed bilateral agreements with these governments in 2003, to improve the monitoring of borders and population movements. IDP Beneficiaries The internal displacement situation in Colombia is one of the most serious in the world. There are over a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) registered by the Colombian Government. NGOs estimate the total number of IDPs to be close to three million. According to official sources, 74 per cent of them are women and children. An estimated 49 per cent of IDPs are adult women. The Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are also vulnerable, and in relative terms, the most affected by the humanitarian crisis. While 8 per cent of the population of the country belongs to the Afro- Colombian community, 11 per cent of all IDPs are Afro-Colombian. Most IDPs are from farming communities, but 30 to 50 per cent end up in cities, without real prospects for return. Colombian cities such as Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Cucuta and Medellin have growing IDP populations concentrated in the poverty belts in marginal areas.

3 UNHCR s Main Objectives in 2004 Reinforce the application of IDP rights and populations-at-risk, and consolidate national mechanisms to improve compliance with national IDP legislation and policies. Support state institutions and civil society organisations working with IDPs through capacity-building activities. Ensure unhindered access to basic services for IDPs. Seek durable solutions for IDPs whenever possible, including return, local integration and relocation. Enhance IDP self-reliance and support IDP associations through vocational training and pilot income generation projects. Target IDP groups with specific needs, such as displaced women, children, young people and ethnic minorities. With the support of OCHA, facilitate the co-ordination within the UN system of humanitarian issues and activities on behalf of IDPs. Promote international protection and durable solutions for 193 asylum-seekers and refugees in Colombia. UNHCR s 2004 budget for Protection and Assistance to IDPs: USD 5,571,549 (operational budget for IDPs: USD 2,837,200; administrative budget, incl. administrative costs related to assistance to refugees: USD 2,734,349). Contributions Received in 2004 (as of 8 March) Switzerland: USD 396,825 European Commission: USD 975,590 Total USD 1,372,415 Other contributions (United States and Sweden) are sub-regionally earmarked. The Government of Luxembourg has announced a contribution of 200,000 euros for Colombia. The Government of the United Kingdom has announced a contribution of USD 75,500 for Colombia. Government Counterparts in Colombia Red de Solidaridad Social (RSS): UNHCR provides expertise (a consultant) to the Joint Technical Unit (JTU). The JTU supports and promotes the development and evaluation of the institutional framework on internal displacement (e.g. support to the Government on IDPs). It also helps municipalities to e.g. establish centres to provide information and guidance to IDPs. Procuradoría General de la Nación: Follows-up and monitors the implementation of public policies for IDPs, pilot projects in Chocó and Magdalena Medio of the newly-established system for the follow-up and monitoring of public policies for IDPs. Defensoría del Pueblo (Ombudsman s Office): Develops a national system for the attention to IDPs. Disseminates information related to IDP rights, provides support to IDP organisations through training, e.g. on project formulation and self-management. Monitors humanitarian situation in high-risk areas and follows-up with authorities. Registraduría (National Registry): Operates a mobile unit to document IDPs in remote conflictaffected areas in co-operation with Opción Legal (OL).

4 Implementing Partners in its IDP Programme: Secretariado Nacional de Pastoral Social (SNPS): Provides IDP associations with technical assistance and training to support associative and participatory process among IDPs and to improve networking among IDP associations. Works with ethnic minorities to strengthen their self-protection capacities to limit or prevent displacement (e.g. early warning systems, cultural resistance, etc.). Implements activities such as teacher-training and provides psycho-social attention to young IDPs. Distributes didactic material to improve the quality of life and effective enjoyment of children's and adolescents' rights under circumstances of displacement. Collects, systemises, analyses and disseminates data on the humanitarian crisis, and population movements. Acts as an umbrella agency for the implementation of projects with local Pastorals and Dioceses. Compartir: Supports IDP associations with technical assistance and training on civil rights. Provides psycho-social support principally targeted at IDP children in Urabá. Opción Legal (OL): Provides IDP associations with technical assistance and training to support associative and participatory processes among IDPs. Implements pedagogy and childhood protection projects and documentation campaigns of IDPs. Provides technical support (training and guidance) to indigenous organisations. Raises public awareness of the situation in Urabá. Provides training to armed forces on the prevention and protection of internal displacement. Analyses and compiles information on national IDP legislation. In addition to direct implementation of projects, OL also operates as an umbrella agency to establish agreements with e.g. the National Registry, local authorities, the National University, NGOs and IDP communities. CEDAVIDA (Fundación Social Colombiana): Provides IDP associations in Putumayo with technical assistance and training to support associative and participatory processes among IDPs. Provides psycho-social support to children and adolescents through IDP associations in Río Viejo. Consultoría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento (CODHES): Monitors and follows-up on internal displacement in Colombia, and publishes IDP policy updates. United Nations Volunteers: Deployment of international and national UNVs in Colombia. Centro de Investigación y Educación Popular (CINEP): Works with ethnic minorities to strengthen their self-protection capacities to limit or prevent displacement (e.g. early warning systems, cultural resistance, etc.) in Urabá. Universidad Nacional de Colombia (under the umbrella of OL): Holds university courses on displacement in Bogotá and supports a legal aid clinic in Pasto which provides legal counselling to IDPs at no cost. Will establish three more legal aid centres to provide counselling and legal assistance to IDPs. Liga Internacional de Mujeres por la Paz y Libertad (LIMPAL): Provides legal aid to women and their associations in the Atlantic Coast region and supports productive projects that will enhance women s self-reliance. LIMPAL also advocates children s rights. Instituto Latinoamericano de Servicios Legales (ILSA): Provides legal assistance in the protection of IDP property. Organises the Mesa de mujer y conflicto. Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia (ONIC): Protects indigenous IDPs and indigenous-atrisk of displacement.

5 Organización Indígena de Antioquia (OIA): Protects and supports, with training and technical support, indigenous IDPs and their communities. Organización Indígena de Putumayo (OZIP): Protects indigenous IDPs and implements projects to strengthen their self-protection capacities to limit or prevent displacement (e.g. early warning systems, cultural resistance, etc.).

6 UNHCR s PROGRAMME FOR REFUGEES IN COLOMBIA IN 2004 UNHCR s Main Objectives in 2004: To provide international protection to refugees in Colombia. To find durable solutions for refugees in Colombia. To facilitate, with logistical support, the return of Colombian refugees who repatriate to Colombia from neighbouring countries. Beneficiaries There are some 190 recognised refugees. Regretfully, the Government s willingness to fully implement international standards (even when explicitly adopted in national legislation) continues to lag behind. The recognition rate over the last years has been almost zero and naturalisation procedure for refugees takes years. The majority of refugees in Colombia originate from the Caribbean and other Latin American countries (Peru and Nicaragua), as well as from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Another group of beneficiaries is composed by European refugees, including a group of elderly. UNHCR s 2004 budget for Protection and Assistance to Refugees: (USD 45,000 for the operational budget, and related administrative costs are contained in the IDP Programme s administrative budget). Legal Framework Colombia is a State party to the principal international and regional refugee and human rights treaties and has incorporated the 1951 Convention in its national legislation. A new RSD decree was issued in late 2002, but it contains several technical and legal shortcomings, among which, the deletion of the Cartagena refugee definition. In this regard, UNHCR started demarches with the Government for the derogation and/or amendment of this decree. UNHCR s Implementing Partner in its Refugee Programme: Secretariado Nacional de Pastoral Social (SNPS): Strengthens the implementation of national refugee legislation in line with international standards. Consolidates durable solutions in terms of voluntary repatriation and local settlement through legal assistance, documentation and the orientation of refugees. Provides legal advice and information on the situation of relevant countries of asylum and origin, as well as basic humanitarian assistance to asylum-seekers and needy refugees. Helps refugees find durable solutions and achieve self-sufficiency through small business projects, micro-credits schemes or job placements.