This Sunday, the relocation, integration or return of 844 people from the Emberá community, who had been living in the National Park, took place. Health assessment sessions were held for the entire community, led by the Ministry of Health.
News Bogotá.
With safety and food, the Emberá indigenous community returns home after 11 months in Bogotá. After almost a year in the National Park, around 700 indigenous people are getting ready to return to their territories in Cauca, Risaralda and Chocó.
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This weekend, the Emberá community returned to its territories in Risaralda and Chocó, after having spent 11 months settled in the Bogotá National Park.
Preparations began early in the morning under the coordination of the Victims Unit and several entities in the District.
A caravan of 22 buses and 9 trucks was assembled, where the families loaded their belongings and animals, ready to begin the journey back to their lands.
The main destination will be Pueblo Rico, Risaralda, from where some families will disperse to other points in their ancestral territories.
How many homes were in the National Park?
In total, 280 Emberá households will return to their lands in Chocó and Risaralda, while another 39 households will be temporarily placed in shelters, and 11 people will remain in Bogotá.
Among the destinations in Chocó are Cascajero, Bagadó and Pescadito, while in Risaralda they will go to Pueblo Rico and other nearby towns.
The return of the Emberá community marks the end of their stay in Bogotá National Park, which will also allow for the recovery of this emblematic space.
The Government has made several commitments to the community, guaranteeing access to health, housing and education. In addition, the District will provide food security to 160 families through cash transfers.
Lilia Solano, director of the Victims Unit, stressed that Prosperidad Social, together with entities such as the ICBF and the Ministries of Housing, Health and Education, will work in coordination to ensure that families receive the necessary care.
The return of the Emberá community also paves the way for an environmental assessment of the National Park, where the state of the trees and fauna will be reviewed after having served as a temporary home for these displaced families for almost a year.
This operation represents a new opportunity for the Emberá community, which for months faced uncertainty in Bogotá. The authorities now have the task of fulfilling the commitments made and ensuring a dignified life for these families in their territories of origin.
During this time, 300 children were born among the Emberá families, who had arrived in the capital fleeing the armed conflict in Chocó.
Financial support
According to the Bogota City HallStarting this Monday, 163 families from the Emberá community will receive a subsidy of $754,000 each as part of the process of return, relocation or local integration.
This support is possible thanks to an agreement signed with BanAgrario by the Ministry of Finance, which will allow the withdrawal of the first cycle of subsidies in Pueblo Rico, Risaralda, once the population returns to their place of origin.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will provide educational support to all students who return or relocate.
