Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community in Colombia has urged the government to give serious attention to the problem of widespread poverty and to tackle the worst humanitarian crisis the country has ever known. The call was launched in stage 2 of a special campaign “Peace in Colombia is Possible” coordinated by the Bishops’ National Social Pastoral Office and Caritas Colombia. This is "worst ever humanitarian crisis" because 50 percent of population lives below the poverty line and 20 percent is destitute, the bishops affirm. The humanitarian crisis is connected with forced displacement of people: Colombia has 3.662.000 internally displaced persons and since 2004 every day an average of 780 people have been obliged to leave, homes and jobs said Bishop Jaime Prieto Amaya Barrancabermeja. This national tragedy involves about 3 million people. At least 5 million Colombians have hardly anything to eat, and the most affected are children under 10 of whom 2.5 million are forced to work .
“Our country is suffering because of this serious humanitarian problem.... indifference must be put aside and people must realise that everyone must help to find a solution" said Archbishop Rubén Salazar Gómez, of Barranquilla.
The Peace in Colombia is Possible campaign is part of SNPS/Caritas Colombia celebrations to mark 50 years of commitment to help the needy. The second stage is focussed on the humanitarian crisis of the thousands of persons internally displaced by conflict. SNPS/Caritas Colombia calls for a "prompt and effective response" to help children under 10 among the most poor, and the conditions of rural communities and internally displaced citizens. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2006; righe 23, parole 338)
