Funding needed for displaced persons in Colombia

(United Nations, 24 February 2003): In an effort to assist more than two million persons displaced by the on-going armed conflict in Colombia, the United Nations last week presented donors with a Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) with a total budget of USD 79.4 million for one year. Of this amount, USD 48.9 million is still to be raised.
During the 2002 alone, more than 250, 000 persons were forced to flee from their homes by the armed conflict, whose intensity has escalated during the past months. Indigenous people have been particularly affected, to the extent that most of Colombia's indigenous population has been or is displaced, or is at risk of being so. The Afro-Colombian communities are also severely affected by displacement. Almost half of the total population of displaced persons are children. Between 30% to 50% of those displaced gravitate to urban areas, where they receive limited attention and experience difficulties in adapting to the urban environment.

The Action Plan aims to ensure respect for and access to enjoyment of human rights by the population affected by the humanitarian crisis, as well as strengthen the state institutions, the rule of law, and the application of the guiding principles for internally displaced persons.

The HAP is a joint effort undertaken in the field by the United Nations under the leadership of UNHCR and OCHA. The appealing agencies are: FAO, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNIDO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNODC, UNICEF, UNIFEM, WFP, WHO/PAHO, IOM and OCHA.

For further information, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53; Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY 917 892 1679