Colombia
In Colombia, FSD advises the national Mine Action Centre (OACP-Descontamina Colombia) on the implementation of an effective Mine Action strategy. A project for the socio-economic reintegration of mine victims by installing urban vegetable gardens is also being implemented.
FSD experts providing support to the Colombian government on mine detection dogs (Colombia, 2019)
Colombia
Context
Almost six decades of civil war have left Colombia littered with improvised mines and unexploded ordnance.
In 2015, 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 thousand deminers deployed throughout the country. The goal is now for the country to be completely free of mines by 2025.
To achieve this objective, many challenges still have to be overcome, particularly in relation to the topography and vegetation in contaminated areas, and due to persistent insecurity.
Improvised mines are still used by the remaining armed groups to protect coca plantations. In 2020, 167 mine victims were recorded in the country.
We worked with local authorities on a regulation to limit the environmental impact of demining activities in the Amazonian forest.
Sandra Sguerra
FSD Environmental Advisor in Colombia
Timeline
FSD in Colombia
Given the complex political and conflict history in Colombia, the importance of land release is paramount. A large part of this process involves the clearance of the land of mines and explosive hazards. In this context, FSD provides expert advice to the Colombian national mine action authority, the OACP – Descontamina Colombia.
Since 2016, FSD has provided 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 also provide input and advice to the OACP – Descontamina Colombia in the development of national standards in accordance with international standards and adapted to the Colombian context.
FSD contributes to protecting the Amazonian forest from the possible negative impacts of mine clearance. The organisation participated in the development and adoption, in 2017, of a law aimed at reducing the environmental impact of humanitarian demining operations, in particular in natural parks.
The number of mine victims in Colombia remains very high. In addition to injuries and amputations, multiple operations and rehabilitation, 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 the form of urban vegetable gardens. This was undertaken in coordination with the Colombian government’s Victims Unit and the local NGO SEREZA.
Stories
News from Colombia
Capacity building
Lettuce and cabbage to help mine survivors
In Colombia, the number of mine victims is very high. To support their socio-economic reintegration, FSD has launched an urban vegetable garden project. For more details, read our article.
demining & environment
Interview with Sandra Sguerra, environmental advisor for FSD in Colombia.
CENTIMETRE after CENTIMETRE
In 2021, our deminers have cleared 8,5km², an area equivalent to half of Geneva. This work require a constant concentration in conditions sometimes extremes.
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