After almost a year of camping in La Florida Park, in Bogota79 families belonging to communities Embera Indians began their return to their reservations in Rich Town, Risaralda. Some will travel to Chocó.
The return to their lands took place after a consultation process between this community, the National Unit for Victims and the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá.
After the long journey of more than 12 hours in different means of transport such as buses, jeeps, motorcycles and even mules, some families have already arrived at the Dokabú reservation, in the Santa Cecilia district, in Risaralda. While others advance in the final stretch to the Chocoano reservations.
Last December, a first return of 150 families was registered and then another 113 to Risaralda and Chocó.
Victims Unit
My family was very bored in Bogotá, enduring cold and hunger. What we ask for is decent conditions to be able to live in peace in the territories
“My family was very bored in Bogotá, enduring cold and hunger. What we ask for is decent conditions to be able to live in peace in the territories,” said José Sintúa, community leader of the Pueblo Rico municipality.
In total, 207 people who make up 79 families returned. Of these, 58 are destined for Bagadó (Chocó), 9 will arrive in Carmen de Atrato (Chocó) and another 12 are arriving in Pueblo Rico (Risaralda), according to data from the Coordination of Returns and Relocations of the Victims Unit.
The director of the Victims Unit, Ramón Rodríguez, reported that they were given a kits of habitability, immediate humanitarian aid, support for sustainability and assistance in transporting belongings to their final destination, “we will continue in the process of agreement so that all indigenous people return to their ancestral territories with guarantees”.
Some of these families remained in Bogotá for about a year, avoiding difficult conditions and living from the sale of handicrafts and the aid provided by different public entities.
Last December, a first return of 150 families was registered and then another 113 to Risaralda and Chocó.
“The most important thing is to achieve the necessary conditions so that the families remain in the reservations. We want them to work in the fields with projects and to recover our traditions, so that they do not have to return to the city,” said the governor of the Unified Reservation in the territory, Julio Nayazá.
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