The armed strike declared by the ELN in Chocó, which lasted nine days, has had severe repercussions on the civilian population. The confinement imposed by this armed group has exacerbated an outbreak of malaria, by limiting access to medicines and medical care.
News Colombia.
The ELN’s Western War Front Omar Gómez announced the end of the armed strike in Chocó, which lasted nine days and affected more than 40 thousand people, generating a humanitarian crisis. During this period, two babies and a woman died due to the impossibility of receiving medical attention.
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More than 40,000 people were trapped under the strike restrictions, resulting in the deaths of two babies and one woman due to lack of medical treatment.
The situation has put the most vulnerable groups at risk, including children under five, pregnant women and people with serious infections.
Health Crisis
The Ombudsman’s Office reported that in the indigenous community of La Lerma, located in the municipality of Medio San Juan, around 600 people are showing symptoms of malaria.
Of the 200 tests carried out, 160 have been positive.
The disease, which begins with mild symptoms such as fever and headache, can progress to severe conditions such as extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing and even seizures, which can be life-threatening if not treated in time.
Food and Transport
The strike has also had significant economic consequences. A lack of fuel has prevented the transport of food across the San Juan, Sipí and Cajón rivers, potentially leading to food insecurity in the region.
The Ombudsman has urged the government to take urgent measures to protect the fundamental rights of the affected communities.
In terms of education, nearly 5,000 children from 85 Afro and indigenous communities have been affected by the suspension of classes due to threats against their teachers.
In addition, 11th grade students were unable to take the Saber tests due to the strike.
The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Cordoba Curi, through her social media, also asked the National Government for progress in the announced humanitarian intervention and support for the economic transition of the region.
“Our desire for peace continues, but it must be accompanied by a greater state presence and the transformation of the territory,” the governor added.
For his part, Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, from Chocó, harshly criticized the ELN and the ‘Clan del Golfo’, describing the impact of violence on education and well-being in the region as unacceptable.
The government and the authorities Local authorities continue to work to mitigate the effects of this crisis and gradually ensure the recovery of the affected communities.
After lifting the armed strike in Chocó, urgent health care is needed to deal with the malaria outbreak
Some 160 members of the La Lerma community, in the municipality of Medio San Juan, diagnosed with the disease, were unable to receive treatment or have access to medicines… pic.twitter.com/PBd9jY8Keb
— Red+ News (@RedMasNoticias) August 19, 2024
