Caracas (Fides Service) - The Catholic Bishops of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela have expressed deep concern and dismay that despite efforts made by the local Church, governments, the United Nations Organisation and many humanitarian organisation, in the conflict area of Colombia, the number of displaced persons continues to rise and not even the basic necessities are guaranteed to the homeless thousands. The Bishops said this at the end of the 2nd Regional Meeting of Frontier Bishops organised by Caritas Venezuela in collaboration with the Latin American Council of Bishops’ Conferences, CELAM, the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, the Regional Office for the North of South America and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR . The purpose of the meeting, held in Caracas from 6 to 9 September, was to draft a programme to guarantee protection of civilians in the conflict areas of Colombia.
In their final Message addressed to “governments, civil society and our brothers and sisters victims of conflict in Colombia”, the Bishops stress the need to work in collaboration on the borders and in transit camps with the support of governments and humanitarian organisations to facilitate the integration of displaced persons. They also underline the importance of strengthening existing connections and considering agreements with more institutions to find solutions to the enormous problems which are usually too large to be tackled by one organisation alone.
They call on governments in the region involved in actuating policies in keeping with international agreements including the Declaration of Cartagena, which guarantee the integral protection of the rights of displaced persons and other victims of the conflict in Colombia.
In the message the Bishops thank the many institutions committed to overcoming the difficult situation. They also encourage those affected by the armed conflict in Colombia, urging them to keep hope alive at this time of suffering and assuring them that the Church is with them to offer support as they strive to make the best of this tragic situation. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2004; Righe 23, Parole 302)