Since mid -January, Catatumbo has been affected by a series of fighting between the dissidents of the FARC and the ELN. In the midst of shooting crosses, thousands of people have had to leave their homes and leave all elements to drift.
One of the organizations with the greatest presence in the country, spoke through a press release in which he shows his deep concern about the situation of more than 46,500 children and adolescents in the Catatumbo region, who have seen their interrupted their Education due to the increase in violence and armed conflict.
Until February 1, around 52,000 people, including families, teachers and minors, had been displaced from their homes. More than 25,000 people remain confined due to mobility restrictions imposed by the conflict. Most displaced families have sought refuge in emergency camps in Cúcuta, Tibú and Ocaña, where they face precarious conditions.
On the other hand, in recent weeks, the authorities have reported the rescue of 20 children who had been recruited by armed groups, while three minors are among the 80 civilians killed since January 15. The situation reflects an unprecedented crisis, which constitutes the greatest mass displacement in the Catatumbo region in the last 28 years.
The director of Save The Children Colombia, María Mercedes Liévano, declared: “Violence in Colombia is terrible, with forced displacements, children and adolescents without schooling, victims of sexual violence, fear of kidnapping and destroyed families. Childhood and adolescence is paying the highest price in this last escalation. They are being killed, violated, recruited and displaced. ”
The NGO makes an urgent call to local, national and international authorities to:
- They guarantee comprehensive protection measures for children and adolescents affected by violence.
- They promote immediate access to education, through safe reopening of schools and strengthening educational institutions.
- Implement psychosocial interventions to address the trauma generated by displacement and violence.
- They reinforce the forced recruitment prevention strategies and other forms of violence against children and adolescence.
“Your rights and their security must be a priority; Peace must be restored immediately to guarantee your well -being. Save The Children is attending the situation, but more resources and support are needed to respond to the seriousness of this humanitarian crisis, ”said the entity’s director.
