Programa, Boyacá 10

Abstract

The radio program “Voces y Regiones”, of the Directorate for Citizen Participation and Community Action of the Ministry of the Interior, addressed development experiences from the perspective of victims of displacement and violence in Colombia, with a focus on the department of Boyacá. The main guest, María Concepción Pinsón, representative of the Association of Population of Victims of Displacement, participated via telephone. During the interview, Pinsón highlighted the difficulties in the effective implementation of victim protection laws by some public officials, emphasizing the need for public policies focused on the reparation of rights and not only on welfare, and pointing out persistent problems in areas such as education, health, income generation and housing. The process to be followed by victims upon arrival in a new municipality was discussed, including the declaration before the Personería or Procuraduría and the immediate attention they should receive, such as housing, food, cleanliness and clothing. Pinsón also mentioned the joint work with the women's home, the Asopo de Escol association and the UPTC women's home to support families in street situations, which led to the creation of a temporary home in Tunja approximately five years ago. The issue of begging among the victims and the need to generate income through productive projects that respect their work prior to displacement was addressed, recognizing the psychosocial trauma they suffer and the importance of professional accompaniment. A discrepancy in the figures of displaced persons in Tunja between the Victims Unit and local organizations was evidenced, which makes it difficult to allocate resources, and it was mentioned that many people who practice begging in Tunja are not necessarily residents of the municipality. Finally, a call was made to the youth to become aware of this problem and to parents to take care of their children, and Pinsón mentioned a shortcoming in the lists of the 100,000 free housing units. At the working table, panelists Tatiana Preciado, Lenin López, Eduardo Vargas and Alfonso García complemented the interview, highlighting the need for comprehensive responses from the State, support for organizations of displaced persons, the importance of organizing victims, the unification of criteria and databases for assistance, and a focus on reparation and inclusion, avoiding revictimization and assistance.