Landmine Victim Assistance in Colombia: Recent Trends and Challenges
10.11197/jaih.30.15
- VernacularTitle:コロンビア共和国における地雷被災者支援の動向と課題
- Author:
Kyo Takahashi
;
Masamine Jimba
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Colombia;
international cooperation;
landmine;
rehabilitation;
victim assistance
- From:Journal of International Health
2015;30(1):15-21
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Colombia faces difficulties in providing assistance to landmine victims as a result of long-drawn-out armed conflict against guerrilla groups and narco-traffickers. The present article describes recent trends and future challenges for landmine victim assistance in Colombia.
Governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations as well as landmine victims’ groups are important actors for assisting landmine victims: Governmental organization modify laws, non-governmental organizations provide proper medical care, international organizations contribute financial and technical cooperation, and landmine victims’ groups build networks among landmine victims.
However, various challenges remain. First, because most explosions occur in mountainous areas, victim access to medical care is difficult. Transferring landmine victims to a medical institution takes a lot of time. Second, as many people cannot go back to their landmine-polluted hometown, this internal displacement has led to problems regarding the resettlement of victims in landmine-free areas. It is not easy for them to participate in the new society. Finally, although many landmine victims suffer from psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological care is often inadequate.
The increase in the number of landmine victims in Colombia requires the establishment of an efficient landmine victim assistance system.
