Despite the peace agreement, 3,500 have been displaced since January in Colombia

 The UN Refugee Agency warned that many of the people who had to flee their homes were from Afro-Colombian or indigenous communities.

The UN Refugee Agency warned that many of the people who had to flee their homes were from Afro-Colombian or indigenous communities.

Edgard Júnior, from UN News in New York.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned that despite the peace agreement signed in Colombia, 3,500 people have been displaced this year alone because of the clashes in the Pacific region.

The UNHCR said that many of those who have had to flee their homes because of the violence belong to Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.

Assassinations

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, spokesman William Spindler said that since the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, the violence generated by new armed groups has caused killings and forced recruitment.

According to Spindler, there has been an increase in gender-based violence, limited access to education, water and sanitation services, as well as restrictions on the movement of the civilian population.

The UNHCR spokesman said that the families most affected are from the regions of Chocó, Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Nariño. The UN agency said that 13% of the 7.4 million internally displaced people in the country belong to Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.

UNHCR reiterated the need to ensure that the civilian population has the right to protection and assistance.

At the same time, Spindler said that any displaced person who wants to return home must be able to do so in a safe and dignified manner.

Source: UN