LSN Partnership Colombia
In 2003, LSN piloted a partnership with a rehabilitation center in Bogotá, Colombia, Centro Integral de Rehabilitación de Colombia (CIREC), to help survivors in remote areas. In addition to connecting survivors to health services, this initiative builds employment opportunities by training healthcare workers and educating communities about the rights of people with disabilities. The program also works to integrate survivors into their family, work life, and community through participation in support groups and other social training. This win-win partnership with a credible, capable organization represents an exciting model that LSN plans to duplicate in other mine-affected countries, extending our reach to needy communities worldwide.

LSN's partnership with CIREC is helping communities in two of the most mine-affected departments in the country: Cundinamarca, which accounted for 5% of the total mine-related casualties in 2003, and Norte de Santander, which accounted for 6%. (Seeds of Hope groups are in the cities of Arboledas, Caqueza, Cucuta, Guadas, Sardinata, Tibu, Tocaima, and Viota.

Landmines in Colombia

• Colombia is the fourth most mine-affected country in the world. All but two of the country's 32 states are mine affected, and as many as 11 different types of mines have been used in Colombia.
• Non-state actors, such as various guerilla and paramilitary organizations, have used landmines in Colombia for over 40 years.
• There is no systematic demining underway, but Mine Risk Education activities are expanding.
• In 2003, there were 668 new landmine/UXO casualties, including 156 fatalities.
• In Colombia, emergency care at the scene of a mine incident is desperately lacking, and medical treatment and surgery in regional hospitals is extremely slow. In rural areas, it can take hours or even days to reach a hospital

Country Demographics Population: 42,310,775 Capital: Bogotá Area: 1,138,910 sq km GDP per capita: $6,300 Life expectancy: 71.43 Unemployment rate: 14.2% Literacy rate: 92.5% Percentage under poverty line: 55%

Partnership Contact Information
Cra. 42 No. 65-25
Bogotá, D.C., Colombia

Director: Jorge Quesada
Phone: 57-1-311-4808
Fax: 57-1-544-3311
e-mail: fcirec@colomsat.net.co