Algeciras is a municipality with high index of poverty and poor social and economic development. It has been deeply affected by the armed conflict. Although it was given priority for humanitarian demining immediately within the implementation of the Peace Agreement with FACRC-EP, the process of demining is far from being completed. Its strategic position at the border with San Vicente del Caguán (department of Caquetá) made it the ideal transit and presence area of the FARC-EP guerrilla. It was the operational center of the “Columna Móvil Teófilo Forero”, an elite corps within the guerilla, and has been a hot spot for maneuvers and transit of other armed groups through all the years.

Algeciras records the highest number of forced displacement of the department of Huila and is the municipality with the highest number of incidents from APM/UXO/IED. The last casualty happened in 2016, leaving a minor killed and another injured. Furthermore, the Ombudsman Office stresses that due to the growing presence of new illegal armed groups and FARC-EP dissidents, there is a strong worry that new mining activities are taking place in the region. In view of the precarious situation that persists, it is of utmost importance that the demining process that has been started and supported by Switzerland continues. This contribution will lead to an improvement of the life conditions of the people in Algeciras in a safety environment. 

Directly:  413 persons (218 M, 195 F).
9 victims are provided advise in terms of their rights.

Indirectly: 24.492 inhabitants of Algeciras (63% in urban and 37% in rural area).

Outcome 1: Mapping of threats caused by APM/UXO/IED in Algeciras through Non-Technical Study (NTS) is finished.

Outcome 2: Threats of APM/UXO/IED in the municipality of Algeciras, Huila, are eliminated through manual demining.

Outcome 3: The communities of Algeciras handle risks and impacts related to APM/UXO/IED.

Outcome 4: More equitable gender roles and relationships within the teams, families and communities have been achieved.

Resultados previstos:  

-Non-Technical Survey (NTS) is finished in Algeciras.

-28.000 m2 have been cleared (12 new Confirmed Hazardous Areas) and handed over to the national authority and the communities.

-413 persons (218 M + 195 F) of Algeciras benefit directly from NTS and clearance, and live in safety conditions.

-290 persons know how to handle risks with APM/UXO/IED and stay safe (Mine Risk Education).

-9 survivors of the municipality are in better health conditions*.

-CCCM implements a gender equality policy that guarantees the dignity of its personnel (female and male) and an adequate implementation of the comprehensive approach.

*These are the same survivors of the previous phase. CCCM has identified these 9 victims need more support to continue their processes within the official route.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

-11.073 m2 cleared and handed over to the national authority.
-6 artefacts destroyed (4 APM and 2 UXO).
-291 adults (172 M + 119 F) and 59 children (24 M + 35 F) know how to handle risks with APM/UXO/IED and stay safe (Mine Risk Education).
-9 survivors improved their health conditions.
-National database updated with 100% of the information gathered in the clearance process.

Fase 2 24.11.2018 - 30.11.2021   (Completed)