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Colombia
Website of the SDC in Colombia: www.cooperacion-suiza.admin.ch/colombia/
 The
SDC primarily focuses its efforts in Columbia on delivering basic services and strengthening protection for victims of conflicts. However, these efforts also extend to other areas, including water
access, water management and sanitation projects.
In 2012, the Colombian government announced that it would start formal peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC). This process led to the adoption of several pieces of legislation, including the Victims and Land Restitution Act. Although roundly applauded nationally and internationally, certain factions continue to oppose these negotiations, and organised violence remains an intractable problem. The SDC concentrates its efforts in Colombia on alleviating the worrying humanitarian situation faced by the victims of conflict. Its general strategy is designed to advance the processes towards conflict resolution and reconciliation. SDC cooperation in Columbia comes in a range of forms, including bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as well as direct action.
SDC figures excluding program contributions to NGOs .. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF |
Humanitarian Aid
Delivery of basic services to victims of conflict
Emergency humanitarian aid covers the basic
needs of conflict-affected communities by giving them access to drinking water, and providing them with food and primary health care. This action not only secures the livelihoods of vulnerable
populations, but also builds their institutional and organisational capacities, thereby equipping them to participate in the reconciliation process. The SDC is particularly active in rural areas.
Land governance
Protectionfor victims of conflict: land restitution
The Victims and Land
Restitution Act, which was adopted in 2011, includes a number of mechanisms to protect the civilian population. They draw on the «Do-No-Harm» approach, which seeks to ensure that aid does not become
a new source of conflict. This approach comprises three main strands:
- strengthening institutions
- capacity building (individual level)
- knowledge management
The Minister of Agriculture is responsible for administering the Act according to this approach, and is assisted in this process by experts from the National University of Colombia together with CDA-Collaborative Learning Projects, an American organisation.
Water
Guaranteeing vulnerable communities access to water; improving sanitation and water
management
Everyone, especially those living in rural communities, is entitled to a sustainable supply of water, as well as adequate
sanitation. As part of a public-private partnership, Swiss and Colombian firms studied household water consumption. Their findings paved the way for a pilot project designed to improve water
management in Colombia. In turn, the knowledge and experience acquired during the project led to the launch of a second phase, this time involving seven major Colombian firms. The National Cleaner
Production Centre (NCPC) coordinates the project.
History of cooperation
From humanitarian aid to transition support
In
2001, the SDC opened an office in Bogota to oversee its humanitarian programme designed to improve the living conditions of victims of armed conflict. Columbia has also been an SDC priority country
since 2009. The SDC works closely with the Human Security Division of the FDFA on the implementation of its 2010–2013 medium-term strategy in the country. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
(SECO) has also developed a separate strategy for Columbia, which will run from 2014 to 2016.
Background information Colombia
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| Source: World Bank's World Development Indicators 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background information provided by the BBC
Local SDC contact address:
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Colombia (Bogotá) |
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Oficina de Cooperación Suiza en Colombia |
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| Phone | +57 (1) 349 72 30 |
| Fax | +57 (1) 347 55 78 |
| Bog.sdc@eda.admin.ch | |
| Website | www.cooperacion-suiza.admin.ch/colombia/ |
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Additional Information and Documents Here, you will find more publications, links, documents and articles about Swiss development cooperation and humanitarian aid in this country. |