As every year, the Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia (REDHER) and the PASC invite you to a caravan for a few days to meet Colombian social organizations and learn about their struggles to defend the territory.

Caravans are a mechanism used by Colombian organizations to break the isolation of communities dispossessed by war and its economic interests. They are composed by a group of observers from different national and international sectors.

This year, the caravan will be in the region of Bajo Atrato, Department of Chocó. The Chocó is bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean, on the other side by the Atlantic, and to the north by Panama. It is a very rich area in it's biodiversity and its people. The inhabitants of Chocó are predominantly Afro-Colombian (75.68%), then indigenous (11.9%), mestizo (7.42%) and white (5.01%).

The communities that will be visited with the caravan have suffered and are still suffering a lot from the war, which continues in spite of the peace agreements. Currently, paramilitary groups operate in the region with the complicity of some civilian and military authorities. Very difficult conditions such as no light, no water, no health care and no education are added to this dramatic situation. This corner of the country is thus abandoned and left up to fate.

Objectives:

- The production of communication material such as articles, videos, podcasts or podcasts for radio and drawings for some examples are to make visible and denounce at the national and international level paramilitary actions, attacks and other problems that communities face.

- Contribute to strengthening initiatives that defend the lives of the people, their human rights and their territory.

- To issue a field report which will be submitted to the Colombian authorities and made public by the participating organizations.

-Perform a medical mission during the tour.

-The activists of the caravan aims through various artistic events to share with the communities, to mobilize and to bring joy.

Details:

The caravan starts on the 5th of August in Medellin, where meetings will be held with social organizations, NGOs, UN representatives, defense organizations and institutions to publicize the caravan. From there, they will leave Bajo Atrato for a trip through different communities. On August 13th, they will announce the results of the caravan.

To participate or for more information, contact us by email at info@pasc.ca or by phone514-966-8421