Protection and risk prevention for children and youth affected by armed conflict and/or forced recruitment, and improvement of livelihoods of targeted communities in Tierralta (Córdoba) and Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca)

Colombia has been experiencing in the past 50 years a dynamic context characterized by (unevenly distributed) economic growth and a protracted armed conflict with continued humanitarian consequences for the civil population. The possible beginning of a post-conflict phase after the signature of a “Peace Agreement” between the Government and the FARC-guerilla in 2015 may open new perspectives for a (complex) transition towards reconstruction, including a high risk of continued armed violence due to the creation of new Post Demobilization Armed Groups and the increase of forced recruitment and use of children and young people for illegal activities.

• Protection of 709 children and youth affected by the armed conflict and/or with high risk of forced recruitment in 5 communities of Tierralta, Córdoba and 11 communities of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca.

• Improvement of the living conditions of 6.143 people affected by armed conflict through the recovery of livelihoods (safe water, food security, basic sanitation), in 5 communities of Tierralta, Córdoba and 11 communities of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca and indirectly for 3.060 people of surrounding communities.

Directly 6.413 people, indirectly 3.060 living in surrounding communities, affected by the armed conflict in Tierralta (department of Córdoba) and Buenaventura (department of Valle del Cauca). 52% of the beneficiaries are women.

The population focalized in Tierralta belongs to 5 communities, 3 of which are urban.

The population targeted in Buenaventura belongs to 11 rural communities: 6 are part of indigenous groups, and 5 of Afro-Colombian communities.

1. 5 communities of Tierralta (5.140 people) and 11 communities of Buenaventura (1.273 people) have improved their capacities and comunity mechanisms to prevent and protect children and youth with high risk of forced recruitment or use by illegal armed actors.
2. 5 communities of Tierralta and 11 communities of Buenaventura have strengthened their organizational capacities to raise awareness on the situation of forced recruitment in the prioritized areas and to advocate on the implementation of public policies for prevention and protection of children and youth at  risk.
3. 415 targeted families (1.989 people) of Tierralta and Buenaventura, and 180 children and youth of Tierralta have improved their conditions of food security, through the strenthening of agricultural livelihoods and the improving of school canteens.
4. 5 communities of Tierralta and 11 communities of Buenaventura (5.859 people) have improved their access to safer water and basic sanitation services.
5. 90 children and youth of Tierralta have increased their incomes through the implementation of productive initiatives.

Risultati principali attesi:  

1.1 35 children and youth in high risk of recruitment have been protected through the implementation of protection mechanisms (Protection route activated) in coordination with responsible authorities in Tierralta.

1.2 One protection mechanism (Protection route) developed in Buenaventura.

1.3 709 children and youth affected by armed conflict in Tierralta and Buenaventura have developed and improved individual and community mechanisms of self-protection.

1.4 11 “Risk Management Plans” for prevention of the forced recruitment have been established (5 in Tierralta and 6 in Buenaventura).

1.5 8 community centers have been constructed or improved in Tierralta (5) and Buenaventura (3).

2.1 The implementing partner and local organizations have developed advocacy activities to improve protection and prevention public policies in Tierralta and Buenaventura.

3.1 300 familiar backyards and 13 community backyards have been established to improve food security conditions of the communities (300 families. 2.170 people approximately).

4.1 5.859 people have improved their access to water through the construction/rehabilitation of communal water wells (4.730 people) and communal or private water supplies (247 families: 1.129 people).

4.2 297 families of Buenaventura have improved the conditions of basic sanitation through the construction of sanitation facilities at household level.

5.1 90 youth of Tierralta have improved their incomes through the implementation of productive initiatives.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

• 32 children and youth in high risk of recruitment were protected through the implementation of protection mechanisms (Protection route activated) in coordination with responsible authorities.

• 405 children and youth affected by armed conflict have developed individual and community self-protection mechanisms.

• 4 community centers (Centros Juveniles) constructed.

• 74 familiar crops were established improving the food security conditions of the communities.

• 3230 people improved their access to safer water through the construction/rehabilitation of communal water wells.

• The implementing partner and local organizations advance on advocacy activities to improve public policies on protection and prevention.

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe

• Benposta Córdoba (BNP)

• Servicio Jesuita para Refugiados (SJR), Buenaventura

Fase 2 01.12.2014 - 30.11.2016   (Completed)