Colombia: HI: Comprehensive approach to mine action in the departments of Cacua and Nariño

Project completed

SDC will support HI in strenghtning and complementing the institutional and community capaxity to manage min eaction with a differential approach (indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant) in the departments of Cauca and Nariño, under the Government's Rapid Response Strategy that is being implemented as part of the peace agreement signed with the FARC. The focus of the 2nd phase will be on a comprehensive approach (mine risk education, humanitarian demining, victim assistance and rehabilitation, and advocacy) that will bring a broader support to victims and vulnerable communities; and will link mine action dto developments programs as contribution towards peacebuilding in Colombia. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Colombia
Conflict & fragility
nothemedefined
Removal of land mines
07.08.2017 - 06.12.2018
CHF  800’000
Background The peace agreements signed between the Colombian Government and the FARC has ended more than fifty years of armed conflict with this guerrilla. Also it has created opportunities to advance in mine action with a comprehensive approach (including humanitarian demining) in zones that were previously inaccessivle. Ethnic and peasant communities living in rural areas (e.g. Cauca and Nariño) have been specially affected by antipersonnel mines (APM) / Improvised Exlosive Device (IED) / Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) used by illeagal armed groups such as FARC and ELN (which is still using these weapons). This has generated a high number of victims that face substantial obstacles towards accessing physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as social and economic inclusion. The severe contamination of these territories has also affected the livelihoods of habitants (mainly based on agriculture), their mobility, access to basic rights (e.g. health) and their potential for socio-economic development. 
Objectives Strenghten and complement the institutional and community response capacity to manage mine action with a differential approach (indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant) in 6 municipalities of the departments of Cauca and Nariño). 
Target groups

Directly 60'000 people form indigenous, afro-descendant and peasant communities fo 6 municipalities belonging to 2 departments, whereas 57% are female and 43% male.

Additionally, the project will benefit indirectly to 108'172 people (among habitants of these municipalities, victims' family members and caretakers). Also people working for the mine actor sector and for local andn national authorities may benefit indirectly from the project.

The municipalities are:

  • Nariño: Pasto, Policarpa y Tumaco
  • Cauca: Corinto, Caloto y Cajibío 
Medium-term outcomes
  1. Vulnerable communities (indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant) of 6 municipalities mitigate the risks associated with APM/IED/UXO presence in their territories. (844 people approximately)
  2. Communities of 3 municipalities have areas free of suspicion and clear (approx. 100'000 m2) for the socio-economic developments of their habitants in safe conditions. (60'000 people approximately).
  3. Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and comprehensive rehabilitation of survivors, persons with disabilities are addressed in coordination with the offricial network of services and supported at community level. (600 people: 175 survivors, 75 persons with disabilities, 200 caretakers and 150 public servants)
  4. Social movements (associations of survivors, people with disabilities, educational community) supported by the project effectively participate and advocate for their rights at national and international level. (400 people approximately) 
Results

Expected results:  

  1. MIne Risk Education (MRE): 844 beneficiaries (public servantsw, teachers, community members and leaders) improve their knowledge, capacities and plans to prevent and mitigate risks associated to  AMP/IED/UXO.
  2. Humanitarian Demining (HD): territories of 3 municipalities of Cauca prioritized by the Government are free of APM/IED/UXO presence (clearance of approx. 100'000 m2), for the socio-economic development of their habitants (60'000 people approximately) in safe conditions.
  3. Humanitarian Emergeny Assistance and rehabilitation: atleast 250 people with disabilities (175 survivors) and 80% fo their caretakers have improved their health conditions in a comprehensive way, by accessing emergency assistance services, physical  rehabilitation processes and psycho-social support. Also 200 peoöe (40 survivors and 160 family members) have improved their income generation to cover their needs and foster local development. 80% of the mine action institutional network of the 6 municipalities has increased their knwoledge about rights of victims and persons with disabilities.
  4.  Participation and advocacy: 50% of local development plans of the 6 municipalities and national programs and policies supported by the project include specific  needs of vulnerable populations affected by AMP/IED/UXO contamination. 


Results from previous phases:  

  • The operational capacity of HI for humanitarian demining and its deployment in Colombia was built-up (national capacity).
  • Non Technical Surveys (NTS) were started in 2 municipalities, in coordination with communities and local authorities. 588 families were consulted which lead to 8 NTS reports.
  • 615m2 of suspected contaminated zones were marked
  • 7 reports of confirmed dangerous zones were handed over to DAICMA (corresponding to 615m2 that are ready to be cleared are declared without suspicion in the new phase).
  • 4 reports of non-destruction (corresponding to 4.000 m2)
  • 13 explosive devices were destroyed
  • 400 m2 (1 IMSMA event) initially suspected were cancelled.
  • 610 people (including 289 children) were trained on MRE in emergency.
  • 314 people (teachers and leaders of three departments) were trained to performed MRE processes with their communities.
  • 404 people benefited directly due to the cancellation of 400m2.
  • 387 survivors were oriented about official services (health, justice, psychosocial attention) and were informed about protection mechanisms.
  • 323 of them were supported with humanitarian assistance (transport, accommodation).
  • 264 survivors were assisted with psychosocial treatment.
  • 104 survivors (36 women) benefitted of productive projects.
  • 61 public officers of different entities improved their knowledge on rights and boligations to survivors and increased their response capacity. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Handicap International


Other partners
  • ICRC, UNMAS; UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, FAO, Humanitarian Coordination Teams, the Organization of American States (OAS).
  • Victims' associations, associations of disabled people.
  • Community ethnic councils (indigenous).
  • Donors: Multi-Partner Trust Fund, Fundación Medicor and the Embassy of Canada. 
Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Institutional partners: National MIne Action Authority (DAICMA), Land Restitution National Unit, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Municipal and departmental administrations, Education Secretariats, National Service for Traineeship (SENA), Ombudsman field offices.
  • Public and private health services, schools.
  • Local partners of HI, such as: Pastoral Social de Pasto, Fundación Tierra de Paz (Cauca) y Corporación Compromiso Humano. 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    760’163
Project phases Phase 3 15.05.2019 - 31.08.2021   (Completed)

Phase 2 07.08.2017 - 06.12.2018   (Completed)