Years of Solitude: the impact of confinement on the Colombian people
Deep Dive with Ellie 💬
In this article Ellie discusses the post conflict region of Columbia. She is a student journalist with us on a placement organised by the Oxford University Career Services. This article was edited using Lex.page.
Years of Solitude: the impact of confinement on the Colombian people
For a struggle that spanned half a century and, only recently ended with a ceasefire in 2016. The aftermath of the conflict in Colombia cannot settle anytime soon. The country’s long history of political violence means there is an invaluable opportunity. Yet, this has proved nigh impossible. Much of the population find themselves still living day-to-day. The fear for their lives from the ‘’leftovers’’ of confinement strategies.
Background
While the origins of the conflict can be traced back to agrarian disputes in 1920. It can mainly be pinned down to knock-on effects caused by the previous civil war, La Violencia. From 1964 to 2016, the conflict was fought between the Colombian government and far-left guerrilla movements. Namely - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Who were fighting to promote anti-imperialism. There were also far-right paramilitary groups in turn responding to the guerrilla movements. The conflict has killed over 220,000 people. Approximately 80% of whom were civilians. Displaced five million further civilians. Leaving behind over seven million (registered) victims -- in which one in three are children.
The confinement strategies used by the armed forces during the conflict has left a horrific legacy. Confinement strategies are employed to exert control over a population by trapping them. These strategies include the imposition of curfews. Threats followed up by violence. And, the physical implementation of explosives such as landmines. Landmines in particular are a consistent source of danger. Even though the conflict may be over. The devices remain. Their undetectability causes a lasting fear in communities. Furthermore, although the conflict has reached a resolution on paper. The impact of wider events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the demobilisation of the FARC have led to the continued competition for territories by armed groups. This still poses a great threat to the communities.
A study by the Unit for Attention and Integral Reparation for Victims. It has found from January 2018 until June 2022, 137,500 people were been unable to move freely due to these dangers. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities are the most affected. And, the lockdowns are disproportionately concentrated in areas primarily home to these communities. This restricted mobility has made life difficult. Resulting in limited access to healthcare and education. Along with basic human needs such as food and water. Overall, an abandonment of traditional lifestyles has lost of income for many families. The fear of violence has also prevented humanitarian support from reaching these areas. Effectively leaving these communities cut off from the rest of the world.
Health
A pressing concern for any post-conflict community is the upkeep of the health of the population. Along with related needs such as sanitation and food. Wars leaves behind stresses on the healthcare services of the nations involved. Colombia proves to be no exception. Indeed, the impact of the conflict on the country’s health system has been significant. A study on the health system response reveals greater barriers to healthcare. For example, expenses in security and infrastructure have caused financial barriers to healthcare. This is particularly applicable in dangerous areas. The areas where healthcare is most needed for casualties.
The situation of confinement only further exacerbates this. Healthcare services are unable to enter the territories and provide medical aid to those within it. Patients afraid of the dangers are unwilling to leave their homes. Even where care services were continued. Other issues such as the safety of the health professionals were severe. They would be targeted with violent attacks and kidnapped.
Confinement also causes general lack of access to medical technologies and products. The misuse of drugs has led to them being associated with weapons of war. One such case is glucantime. A drug for leishmaniasis – a prevalent disease which can be fatal. It has been stigmatised and restricted as a war strategy due to its usage by the guerrilla forces.
Food security
The stability of the population’s health is also fed into by the wider issue of food security in the region. According to an assessment by the World Food Programme between October and November 2022. 30% of the Colombian population – about 15.5 million people -- are food insecure. 2.1 million are severely food insecure. Of these, 26% of people who need food and nutrition assistance belong to the places most affected by confinement. Hunger is already a pervasive issue following any nation-wide conflict. But confinement only worsens the situation with people only being able to rely on supplies at home. The historic inequalities faced by indigenous and other minority ethnic groups are also an important factor. With 42% of indigenous and 40% of people of African descent being affected disproportionately. Notably, these are the same communities which are plagued most severely by confinement.
The production of food has also been greatly affected. With the agricultural sector made out to be a prime target for the armed forces:. In addition to the confinement of farmers. Confinement strategies such as minefield planting were implemented around areas for growing crops. A report by CARE International also points out how many victims had been displaced from their original livelihoods and food sources. Particularly those working in the agricultural sector. For them food was generally self-sourced – and were then forced to purchase it. The price instability of food therefore became an additional barrier to access. Causing a strong correlation between food availability and the state of the economy.
Conclusion
The recovery of a country can only be possible with the total release of their population from the dangers of conflict. And, the populations ability to live as fully as they could in a conflict-less nation. Unfortunately, the confinements will likely persist and even increase in the same municipalities due to the continued presence of armed groups. There may be some light at the end of the tunnel. However, as the crisis has not gone completely unnoticed. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have started a campaign. ‘’The Longest Confinement’’, to raise awareness. Groups such as the Norwegian Refugee Council have called on the Colombian government to actively seek an end to this crisis. Yet, fear has prevented many communities from speaking up about their predicament. Especially in rural and remote areas where armed control is much more asserted. It has also proven difficult to gather data in affected areas due to the safety concerns and conditions. With more international attention garnered and further diplomatic negotiations. It may still be possible to reach a solution for Colombia. Such developments are certainly crucial for preserving the country’s people and livelihoods beyond the end of the armed conflict.
Thank you for reading an A4R 🎨 Post. Don’t forget to visit our gift shop here. Every purchase scales our impact and pays our bills.
