Before a performance by the "Fundación Artística y Social Son Tradición" in Carreto, this young dancer has a blossom pinned in her hair. © Jair F. Coll / action medeor / Fairpicture Info Before a performance by the "Fundación Artística y Social Son Tradición" in Carreto, this young dancer has a blossom pinned in her hair. © Jair F. Coll / action medeor / Fairpicture Colombia In focus Colombia: Putting an end to violence and poverty Close-up 28 January 2025 Decades of civil war in Colombia led to a pervasive climate of violence that still characterises society today. action medeor is helping people to overcome this climate and drive change. Gang wars and a high level of everyday crime cause great suffering in Colombia. This is particularly true for the 2.9 million Venezuelan refugees, who are discriminated against and exploited in many places. To alleviate poverty and promote reconciliation, action medeor relies on a whole range of measures, including the improvement of health services, a nutrition programme for malnourished children, income-generating measures and mental health activities. We present three stories that show how social change can succeed in Colombia. Planting vegetables against poverty José Lastra shows action medeor employee Marzia Marzenta a chilli field cultivated by his farmers' association. The entire region now benefits from his agricultural expertise. Photo: Jair F. Coll / action medeor / Fairpicture "Why do people eat spoilt vegetables from other provinces when you could grow them here yourself?" asked José Lastra, who fled Venezuela in 2019. The farmers' association he co-founded built an irrigation system with the support of action medeor. Tomatoes, chillies and pumpkins are now thriving in more and more fields, providing farming families with a secure income. "Without help, we would not have been able to achieve the progress we have today," says initiator Lastra happily. From refugee to peacemaker Omerly Vergara's art therapy programme enables many of those affected to finally come to terms with their traumas. Photo: Jair F. Coll / action medeor / Fairpicture When Omerly Vergara was 17 years old, the guerrillas came to her home village. Like many of her neighbours, she was also a victim of sexualised violence. She then managed to escape with her two children. Thanks to psychological help, she was able to come to terms with her traumatic experiences and now runs counselling sessions for survivors of violence herself. These group therapies help those affected to make peace with the past and look to the future. Children protect their environment - and themselves Sahomy is delighted with the strong team spirit in her youth initiative: "Each individual would never be able to move our neighbourhood forward." Photo: Jair F. Coll / Action Medeor / Fairpicture Children going astray and being used by criminal gangs to commit atrocious crimes is a widespread problem in Colombia - and has even increased in recent years. Local groups that give the children support and encourage their sense of community are an effective antidote. With the support of action medeor, around 4,000 women, children and young people are therefore being trained in peace and community work. One of them is ten-year-old Sahomy from a poor neighbourhood in Cartagena. As a member of "EcoKids", she keeps the neighbourhood's green spaces and waterways clean and tirelessly educates adults about the need to protect the environment. Every euro helps! Your donation is invaluable as it enables healing and fosters strong communities working towards a better future. Please help again today! Donate Health Your donation enables us to provide medical care to people in crisis and disaster regions. Donate Now