Colombia
In Colombia, FSD is supporting the socio-economic reintegration of mine and conflict victims through urban vegetable gardens.
FSD assists victims of conflict through the provision of urban vegetable gardens. (Colombia, 2023)
Colombia
Context
Almost six decades of civil war have left Colombia littered with improvised mines and unexploded ordnance.
In 2016, as part of the peace negotiations, the government and the FARC armed group reached a ceasefire agreement. This agreement helped to contribute to the development of a national mine action strategy.
Significant efforts have since been made with several thousands of deminers deployed throughout the country.
Despite significant obstacles, tangible progress has been achieved, with Colombia now ready to take full ownership of its mine action strategy. However, many challenges still have to be overcome, particularly in relation to the topography and vegetation in contaminated areas, and due to the expansion of the internal armed conflict, resulting in new contamination of improvised explosive devices and poor security conditions.
Last year, these devices caused 85 victims and led to the displacement or confinement of 14,700 individuals.
Families affected by the armed conflict and landmine victims like us, often have difficulties to work in the open field, especially in agricultural tasks.
Jair Riviera
Beneficiary of FSD’s mine victim assistance programme
COLOMBIA
Victim assistance
Timeline
FSD in Colombia
Given the complex political and conflict history in Colombia, the importance of land release is paramount in land restitution efforts and overall peace objectives. A large part of this process involves the clearance of the land of mines and explosive hazards.
In 2016, FSD started providing technical experts to advise and mentor the Colombian National Mine Action Authority. Our experts are specialized in mapping, information management, demining strategy, explosive ordnance clearance, mine detection dogs and mechanical demining.
FSD’s team has also provided input and advice to the national authority (OCCP-AICMA) in the development of national standards in accordance with international standards, but adapted to the national context.
FSD has contributed to protecting the Amazonian forest from the possible negative impacts of mine clearance. In 2017, the organisation participated in the development and adoption of a decree aimed at reducing the environmental impact of humanitarian demining operations when carried out in environmentally protected areas, in particular in natural parks.
In 2022, FSD refined Colombia’s land release standards and provided training to mine action operators on their implementation in the field. Our experts also provided continued guidance on the environmental impact of mine action, as well as on clearance techniques, operational efficiency and the monitoring of mine action operations by national authorities.
In 2023, the Colombia national authority was ready to take over its responsibilities in mine action, and FSD successfully concluded its support to them.
The number of mine victims in Colombia remains very high: more than 12’450 since 1990. In most cases, survivors find themselves unemployed, isolated and sometimes perceived as a burden by society. To address this, FSD launched a socio-economic reintegration project in 2022, in coordination with the Colombian government’s Victims Unit, focused on supporting landmine and conflict victims displaced in Bogotá. The project, which has already grown over the last two years, will expand regionally in 2024 thanks to new funding.
FSD’s mine and conflict victim assistance project in Colombia is funded by private donors and foundations.
Stories
News from Colombia
PARTNERSHIPS FOR MINE VICTIMS
Our victim assistance project is developing thanks to new collaborations! Learn more about the income-generating opportunities offered by local communities to mine victims.
A Sustainable Income Source for Victims of Conflict
In 2023, FSD’s victim assistance programme made it possible to cultivate 7,000 aromatic plants and vegetables. This year, new partnerships are underway to expand the project.
THE NEW LIFE OF JAIR, SURVIVOR OF A MINE ACCIDENT
Discover how Jair was able to find a sustainable income-generating activity compatible with his disability. In Colombia, FSD helps to set up urban vegetable and salad gardens to facilitate the socio-economic reintegration of mine victims.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE
In 2023, 150 landmine and conflict victims were supported in establishing urban gardens and selling their production.
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