DWS - Colombia

DWS Country Programs
Colombia

Two proud boys with their own contribution to the food of the day.
© LWF/DWS Colombia/D. Pérez Mateus

Colombia is the only Latin American nation affected by an internal armed conflict, which has already lasted for almost fifty years. The nature of the conflict and the actors involved has changed during these fifty years. What started as a social and political conflict, based on an unequal distribution of land and resources, and the lack of political alternatives, has evolved into a conflict for territorial control of different armed actors fighting for economic and political interests. Various peace and demobilisation processes have taken place during the years, but they have not been successful as they have not involved all the actors and have not addressed the root causes of the conflict. As a result of this protracted conflict, Colombia has the second highest number of IDPs after Sudan. It is estimated that approximately 3.8 million people have been forced to flee from their homes and lands.

Woman in the process of self-building her house in bamboo. Settlement El Oasis, Ibagué, Colombia.
© LWF/DWS Colombia/D. Pérez Mateus

Since 2002, World Service, in co-ordination with the Lutheran Church in Colombia, implemented four emergency projects to assist the population displaced by the conflict. Upon invitation of the Lutheran Church and after an assessment mission, the World Service program in Colombia was opened in 2006.

The World Service program in Colombia responds to the World Service Global Strategic Objective of “peace building and reconciliation”, through the empowerment of the affected population and the promotion of peace initiatives. To achieve this goal, the program contributes to the strengthening of communities to overcome the impact of the conflict, to manage risk situations and to prevent further displacement. It will also assist them to fulfil their right to a life in dignity.

The areas of work of the World Service program in Colombia are:

Contribute to the empowerment of communities suffering the effects of the armed conflict and poverty.
In order to support the resistance of the communities to the violence, LWF/DWS will foster self-reliance economic activities that ensure food security and generation of resources in the communities.

Old-lady beneficiary of community restaurant. Establishment in Piedecuesta, Santander, Colombia.
© LWF/DWS Colombia/D. Pérez Mateus

Contribute to the fulfilment of human rights for all Colombians.
Human rights are an essential component of the World Service Program in the country, as accompaniment and protection are needed for leaders, communities and organisations working on defending the rights of the population. The World Service intervention will aim at addressing and impacting on structural problems.

Support the creation of peace alternatives.
World Service support will be directed towards preventing the extension of the conflict to new victims, communities and regions. Our support will focus on local proposals promoting the resistance of local communities to the armed actors. It will also support national proposals to international organisations and third party governments.
Increase the visibility of the Colombian situation at international level.
World Service will support the advocacy work of the national organisations to increase the visibility of the impact that the conflict is having on the civilian population in Colombia. World Service presence in the country—as an international organisation—will also provide protection to local organisations and communities.
Respond to emergencies and promote sustainable risk management.
The World Service program approach in Colombia is a risk management approach as the main purpose is to prevent further displacement of the population by the conflict. Furthermore, we will support and accompany actions to respond to emerging emergency situations caused by the conflict or by natural events in the communities where we work.