Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA437
2007-01-22 20:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

IS INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT DECREASING IN COLOMBIA?

Tags:  EAID PGOV PHUM PREF SNAR SOCI CO 
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RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 9893
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RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN LIMA 4650
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS BOGOTA 000437 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR PRM, WHA AND INL
GENEVA FOR RMA
USAID FOR LEMARGIE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREF SNAR SOCI CO
SUBJECT: IS INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT DECREASING IN COLOMBIA?

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000437

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR PRM, WHA AND INL
GENEVA FOR RMA
USAID FOR LEMARGIE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM PREF SNAR SOCI CO
SUBJECT: IS INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT DECREASING IN COLOMBIA?


1. (U) Summary. The Government of Colombia and a respected
Colombian NGO, the Consultancy for Human Rights and
Displacement (CODHES),are reporting marked decreases (16-30
percent) in the number of new internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in the first 9 months of 2006. However, the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) argues that,
based upon trends they observe in the field, there has been
an increase in the rate of internal displacement from a year
ago. ICRC attributes the increase to a rise in the rate of
individual displacement, which is often underreported. While
the debate over the rate of new internal displacement and the
number of IDPs overall continues, all sources say new
displacements continue to occur primarily due to the actions
of illegally armed groups and conflict between these groups
and GOC security forces. End Summary

New Internal Displacements: Government, CODHES Show Decline
-------------- --------------


2. (U) The GOC agency responsible for IDPs, Accin Social,
records all IDPs that register with the government. From
January to September 2006, Accin Social registered 110,302
new displacements. This is a 16 percent drop from the number
of IDPs registered during the same period in 2005 (131,716).
In contrast, CODHES estimates that there were 175,216 new
IDPs in the first 9 months of 2006. Still, this is a 30
percent drop from the number of IDPs reported by CODHES in
the same period in 2005 (252,801),and matches the downward
trend reported by the GOC.


3. (U) The differences in the GOC and CODHES numbers reflect
several key differences in how the GOC and CODHES statistics
are determined. While the GOC reports on the number of new
IDPs that have been accepted into the national registry
(Sistema Unico de Registro or SUR),CODHES estimates new
displacements based on information obtained from the Catholic
Church, ICRC, the media, civil society, and some field work.
This information is then compiled and analyzed.


4. (U) In addition to differing methodologies, CODHES'

definition of an IDP is more expansive than the one used by
the GOC. CODHES includes individuals who have migrated in
response to drug eradication efforts, as well as those
displaced by natural disasters (CODHES cannot provide a
breakdown of the number of IDPs by type of displacement).
The GOC does not include these displacements in their
figures. CODHES also counts multiple displacements. For
example, if a family is displaced more than once, each
displacement is considered new and included in the count.
The GOC registry only counts a displaced individual at the
time they register. An individual can only register one time
with the SUR, even if they have experienced repeated
displacements.


5. (U) These differences in GOC and CODHES statistics are not
new and are also reflected in their accounting of the overall
number of IDPs in the country. Since 1995, the GOC
identified 1,874,917 Colombians as internally displaced ,
while CODHES estimates the overall number of displaced to be
3,175,544.


6. (U) The data that the GOC has reported for January
through September 2006 are expected to change several times
in the coming months. As part of its effort to improve the
registration system, a response to January 2004 and August
2006 rulings by Colombia's Constitutional Court, the GOC has
increased outreach efforts and is changing the methodology by
which they compile, analyze and report displacement data.
The GOC says these efforts will likely lead to substantial
revisions in previously reported data.

ICRC: Or is it Increasing?
--------------


7. (SBU) The ICRC disagrees with the GOC and CODHES
statistics indicating an overall decline in newly displaced.
Based on figures it has collected from field operations, the
number of IDPs ICRC assisted in 2006 increased by about 20
percent, primarily due to a significant rise in individual
displacements. In the first nine months of 2006, ICRC
assisted 50,415 persons (34,100 from individual displacements
and 16,315 from mass displacements). During the same period
in 2005, ICRC assisted 40,672 persons (24,649 from individual
displacements and 16,023 from mass displacements).


8. (SBU) The sharp rise in the number of individual
displacements which, according to ICRC, are less visible and
more difficult to detect than mass displacements, is a fact
that neither the GOC nor CODHES may have accounted for.
While victims of mass displacement events are often readily
identified and assisted by the GOC and aid groups,
individuals frequently face greater obstacles to accessing
assistance and may be unwilling (due to fear) or unable (lack
of knowledge) to register with the GOC.

Locations of Displacement
--------------


9. (SBU) According to all the sources, much of the new
displacement is due to actions by the FARC, ELN and newly
emerging groups in the departments of Nario, Antioquia,
Meta, Caquet, Norte de Santander and Putamayo. While it is
generally agreed that paramilitary violence by the AUC has
declined significantly due to the demobilization process, new
emerging criminal groups continue to use forced displacement
to gain control over strategic or economically valuable
territory. As fighting between the Colombian Army and
illegally armed groups has intensified in certain areas (e.
g. Nario, Antioquia, Norte de Santander and Choc);
civilians have come under increasing threat. In such
situations, many IDPs remained trapped in conflict zones,
unable to flee the situation and access assistance. Many
other new IDPs have moved to areas around large cities such
as Bogot, Cartagena, Cali and Medellin. In many big-city
IDP slums, FARC/ELN sympathizers and/or ex-paramilitaries
actively discourage IDPs from registering with the government
through force, intimidation, and disinformation.

Refugee Outflows Also Continue
--------------


10. (U) It is important to note that these displacement
figures do not include refugees who may have chosen to cross
national borders into neighboring countries in pursuit of
permanent or temporary international protection. (CODHES
estimates that from January to September 2006, at least 7,372
Colombians may have crossed into Ecuador, Venezuela and
Panama).

Comment
--------------


11. (U) Data from all sources - GOC, CODHES, and ICRC - shows
that internal displacement is continuing at an average rate
of more than 12,000 individuals per month. With this number
of forced displacements and their impact on communities
throughout the country, there is a need to ensure that
humanitarian attention, protection and reintegration
assistance to IDPs remains a priority.
WOOD