UN humanitarian chief reviews humanitarian situation in Colombia

(Bogota/New York, 23 February, 2009): On the first day of his mission to Colombia, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes met with ministers and senior officials in the Government of Colombia, as well as humanitarian actors from the United Nations, Colombian civil society, and non-governmental aid organizations.

"It is clear that there is a serious humanitarian situation in Colombia, particularly the problems of millions of internally displaced persons, and that there is a requirement collectively to do more to respond to these needs," Mr. Holmes noted.

During a day of meetings in Bogota, Mr. Holmes met Government and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio; Director of the Department for Prevention and Response to Disasters (DPAD) Luz Amanda Pulido; Foreign Affairs Minister Jaime Bermudez; and Accion Social Presidential Advisor Luis Alfonso Hoyos. Mr. Holmes praised the government's action and progress achieved, but urged increased dialogue on the humanitarian situation and the necessary response, particularly on protecting civilians. There was also agreement on the need to increase prevention and preparedness for natural disasters.

In a meeting with a large group of representatives from Colombian civil society, including indigenous, the Afro-Colombian, human rights, women and youth groups, Mr. Holmes heard a wide range of concerns about the consequences of large scale internal displacement and continuing violence in many areas.

Mr. Holmes expressed particular concern about the situation of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, not least following the recent killing of members of the Awa community in Nariño. "There is a need to pay particular attention to the future of indigenous people and other vulnerable groups that have a special dependency on and attachment to their lands," Mr. Holmes said.

On Tuesday, Mr. Holmes will travel to the Chocó region, where he will meet Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, local leaders and displaced people in and around Bebedó, Dipurdú, and Quibdó.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1917 892 1679, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader OCHA-New York, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org; Elisabeth Byrs OCHA-Geneva,+41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org.