Context
Caquetá Department is one of the regions most affected by armed conflict in Colombia. Around 100,000 people are currently registered as victims of internal displacement. The majority are concentrated in Florencia, the Department’s capital city. The integration of victims into their new surroundings is made more difficult by a number of factors, including insufficient capacity and opportunity to independently improve their living conditions, little prospect of returning home quickly and social stigma. Many do not even register as internally displaced persons (IDPs) for fear of once again falling victim to violence and displacement owing to a lack of acceptance on the part of local people, but also due to inadequate information and shortcomings in the support offered by state agencies. Victims must, however, be entered in the state IDP registry to take advantage of the services the state is required to provide by law. Even registered IDPs often do not benefit from these services due to insufficient coordination of the numerous institutions involved in the national support system for victims.
Objective
State and non-state organisations offering support to IDPs in Florencia are better coordinated. More victims are taking advantage of the opportunity to register as IDPs, resulting in a considerable increase in state support. IDPs and other disadvantaged groups can find legal work more easily.
Approach
Most of FORTES’s work is carried out in Florencia, where the majority of IDPs – an estimated 70,000 people – live. The key objective of the programme is to establish a victim support service point that is run jointly by the key actors and overseen by Florencia city hall. Information services and access to state aid are organised via this service point. Emergency aid and economic integration measures are coordinated in conjunction with state institutions, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
The programme is working to facilitate access to legal employment contracts for victims and other disadvantaged groups by providing training and enabling contact with employers. Support will also be provided to those wishing to start their own Business.
Results
Since the program began in August 2014, state representatives have been trained in the province in the victims’ law. Now they are able to carry out their tasks in implementation of the law in a more competent way.
The humanitarian coordination has improved through the strengthening of governmental and non-governmental bodies at the local level.
Traumatized victims have been accompanied by psychosocial support and have started to rebuild their lives in the new environment.
Women's groups were informed about victims' rights and supported in financial management by regional measures of food security.