Humanitarian Bulletin No. 24 - 25, 19 September – 16 October 2011

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Hostilities and attacks continue to affect civilians in Cauca department: Since 15 September there have been a series of attacks in the municipalities of Corinto, Silvia, Suárez, Jambaló, Páez, Balboa, Argelia, Caldono and Caloto. According to the communities and the indigenous organizations, civilians are frequently caught in the middle of hostilities and often take place nearby schools and “Permanent Assembly Sites”, considered by indigenous authorities as humanitarian and shelter areas.

• Acts of violence triggered displacements in Cordoba, Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Nariño: Four of the mass displacement events reported during the period under review were caused by military operations. The situation is critical in Cauca Department, due to ongoing fighting and frequent attacks against State armed forces amid civilians.

• Mass demonstrations in Southern Córdoba, Bajo Cauca and Chocó departments: Aerial spraying of coca crops and restrictions imposed on small-scale mining led to the mobilization of thousands in the region between Southern Córdob Departmenta and Bajo Cauca region (antioquiq Department).

• Second rainy season began in the Andean, Caribbean and Pacific regions:
  According to figures from the National System for Disaster Prevention and Response (SNPAD) between 1 July and 10 October nearly floods, landslides and strong winds, following the start of the second winter season, have affected 159,000.