Flyktet oppover elva

Eva* og familien flyktet da skuddene falt meter fra hjemmet deres i den colombianske urfolkslandsbyen. En av lederne deres ble drept.

Vi er redde, sier Evas ektemann. – Hvis de kan drepe en av lederne våre, kan de lett drepe en av oss.

Colombias urfolk er hardt rammet av den væpnede konflikten i landet – over ett år etter fredsavtalen mellom FARC og regjeringen. Den 24. oktober 2017 ble én av urfolkgruppen emberas lokale ledere skutt og drept i stillehavsregionen Chocó. Dagen etter flyktet Eva (36) og familien hennes fra hjemmet sitt i hui og hast. Skuddene hadde falt kun 200 meter fra hjemmet deres.

*Navnet har blitt endret av sikkerhetshensyn.

Melida Isabaré Papelito, her husband Anancio Roja and their children.

In October 2017, Melida Isabaré Papelito, 36, fled with her husband and children from their home to the village of Catrú in Colombia’s Chocó region. The thirty-six-year-old woman is part of the indigenous group Embera and in October 2017, one of their community leaders was killed by an armed group.

"I hope we can get help to survive," says Melida.

Her people have lived in this area for generations. Over the years, they have been displaced several times.

In October 2017, more than 1,0000 people fled to the village of Catrú in Colombia's Chocó region.

"They came because they feared that more people would be killed," says one of the community leaders in Catrú, home to the indigenous Embera people.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Colombia since 1991. In Chocó, we inform indigenous groups about their rights and provide legal aid in questions relating to land rights and compensation after having been forced to flee. In Catrú we help make sure that children get to go to school, and provide clean water to the community.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Eva, mannen og deres fire sønner ved elvebredden i landsbyen de flyktet til. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Flyktet for livet oppover elva

Sammen med mannen og fire små barn flyktet Eva i en trebåt opp langs den frodige elva i Colombias regnskog. Etter seks lange timer kom de frem til landsbyen som er emberafolkets knutepunkt i regionen.

– Jeg håper vi kan få hjelp til å overleve, sier Eva.

Ektemannen nikker. Han håper de vil få støtte fra myndighetene når de vender hjem. Avlingene er nok borte nå, og de kommer til å trenge støtte for å klare seg. I landsbyen får de mat og husly av generøse venner og slektninger.

Les også: På flukt for livet i eget land

In October 2017, more than 1,0000 people fled to the village of Catrú in Colombia's Chocó region.

"They came because they feared that more people would be killed," says one of the community leaders in Catrú, home to the indigenous Embera people.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Colombia since 1991. In Chocó, we inform indigenous groups about their rights and provide legal aid in questions relating to land rights and compensation after having been forced to flee. In Catrú we help make sure that children get to go to school, and provide clean water to the community.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Landsbyen er emberafolkets knutepunkt i regionen Chocó på Colombias vestkyst. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Søkte tilflukt blant venner

– Jeg aner ikke hvor lenge vi kan bli her, sier Eva.

Hun er glad for at familien er i trygghet, men forteller at det er utfordrende å bo hjemmefra.

– Det er ikke det samme å leve her, i et fremmed hus, som å bo hjemme hos seg selv. Hjemme pleide vi å sove i hengekøyer.

Eva, mannen og fire av deres seks barn var blant over tusen mennesker som søkte tilflukt i landsbyen etter drapet. Fra før huset landsbyen rundt 2.000 innbyggere, og den massive befolkningsøkningen merkes. Eva og familien deler et lite hus med to andre familier.

– Vi er femten personer. Vi lager mat sammen, og hver familie sover sammen på en madrass under en myggnetting.

In October 2017, Melida Isabaré Papelito, 36, fled with her husband and children from their home to the village of Catrú in Colombia’s Chocó region. The thirty-six-year-old woman is part of the indigenous group Embera and in October 2017, one of their community leaders was killed by an armed group.

"I hope we can get help to survive," says Melida.

Her people have lived in this area for generations. Over the years, they have been displaced several times.

In October 2017, more than 1,0000 people fled to the village of Catrú in Colombia's Chocó region.

"They came because they feared that more people would be killed," says one of the community leaders in Catrú, home to the indigenous Embera people.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Colombia since 1991. In Chocó, we inform indigenous groups about their rights and provide legal aid in questions relating to land rights and compensation after having been forced to flee. In Catrú we help make sure that children get to go to school, and provide clean water to the community.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Eva måtte flykte med familien da den lokale lederen ble drept. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Hvor blir det av freden?

I en annen landsby i nærheten møter vi den lokale presten. Han forteller oss hvorfor kampene og drapene i regionen fortsetter på tross av fredsavtalen.

– Myndighetene er fullstendig fraværende i disse områdene, de har ingen ingen kontroll. Den er det de væpnede gruppene som kjemper om.

Og derfor blir sivilbefolkningen drevet på flukt, igjen og igjen. Det er afrocolombianere og urfolksgrupper som har lidd mest under konflikten – og som fortsetter å lide etter fredsavtalen.

– Det er de som er ofre for drapene og volden, sier han.

Les også: Dette truer freden i Colombia

In a village close to Catrú, priest Juan Carlos Palucos Agualimpia explains why the fighting and the killings in the region continue despite the peace agreement.

"The government is completely absent in these areas, they have no control. Instead, the armed groups are fighting for control."

That is why the population is forced to flee, again and again. Afro-Colombians and the indigenous population are those who have suffered the most in this conflict. And they continue to suffer even after the peace agreement.

"They are the real victims of the murders and the violence," says Agualimpia.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Den lokale presten i en landsby i Chocó-regionen mener det er afrocolombianere og urbefolkningsgrupper som har lidd mest under konflikten i Colombia – og som fortsetter å lide etter fredsavtalen. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Opplevde aldri dette som barn

– Det vi opplever nå, opplevde jeg aldri som barn, forteller Eva. – I oppveksten levde jeg et rolig, fredfullt liv, og jeg hørte ikke om væpnede grupper før jeg var 12 år gammel. Da hørte jeg om grupper som drepte og tvang folk på flukt fra ett sted til et annet.

Foreldrene til Eva var fattige bønder, men sørget for at hun fikk gå på skole. Under studietiden møtte hun ektemannen, og i dag har de seks barn sammen. To jenter som går på skole i en annen by og fire yngre sønner.

Melida's eldest son, Anancio, attends school in Catrú. He misses the animals they had at home on the farm and joining his father on hunting and fishing trips. "We fished using hook and line, and we hunted birds using a rifle. I helped find the animals. We had to be very quiet," he says.

In October 2017, Melida Isabaré Papelito, 36, fled with her husband and children from their home to the village of Catrú in Colombia’s Chocó region. The thirty-six-year-old woman is part of the indigenous group Embera and in October 2017, one of their community leaders was killed by an armed group.

"I hope we can get help to survive," says Melida.

Her people have lived in this area for generations. Over the years, they have been displaced several times.

In October 2017, more than 1,0000 people fled to the village of Catrú in Colombia's Chocó region.

"They came because they feared that more people would be killed," says one of the community leaders in Catrú, home to the indigenous Embera people.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Colombia since 1991. In Chocó, we inform indigenous groups about their rights and provide legal aid in questions relating to land rights and compensation after having been forced to flee. In Catrú we help make sure that children get to go to school, and provide clean water to the community.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Evas eldste sønn går på skole i landsbyen. Han savner dyrene de hadde hjemme på gården, og å bli med faren på jakt og fiske. – Vi fisket med krok og fisketråd og vi jaktet på fugler med gevær. Jeg hjalp til med å finne dyrene de jakter på. Vi måtte være veldig stille, forteller han. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Holder på tradisjonene

Eva og mannen er opptatt av å videreføre de tradisjonene folket deres har hatt i generasjoner. Hjemme gikk mannen på jakt og fiske, og familien dyrket jorda. Eva lagde maten, strikket tøy og perlet tradisjonelle smykker.

– Da jeg var en liten jente, var moren min kledd i "paruma", et tradisjonelt skjørt som kun dekker nederste halvdel av kroppen, og hun foretrakk å ikke bruke overdel, forteller Eva.

Det var moren som lærte Eva alt hun kan i dag.

– Hun lærte meg å male kroppsmaling og perle kjeder vi kaller "shakira". Jeg har ikke glemt noe av det hun lærte meg.

Moren lever fremdeles, men Eva vet ikke hvor hun er. Hun har også flyktet fra volden og kampene i området.

– Jeg har ikke kontakt med henne og vet ikke om hun har det bra. Jeg er bekymret for henne.

The Embera people decorate their bodies with beautiful patterns using body paint. The paint is made from the juice of a fruit called "jaqua" mixed with soot to make it black. If you let is set for longer, the fruit juice will have a darker colour.

In October 2017, more than 1,0000 people fled to the village of Catrú in Colombia's Chocó region.

"They came because they feared that more people would be killed," says one of the community leaders in Catrú, home to the indigenous Embera people.

The Pacific region, particularly Chocó, has become a battleground for clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and another armed group. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been disproportionally affected. Seven out of ten people displaced this year come from these communities.

In many areas previously controlled by FARC, armed conflict is still ongoing. In some areas, the fighting has increased since FARC laid down their weapons, as armed groups are attempting to take control over strategic areas, natural resources and important drug routes. In many places, paramilitary groups have moved in, causing increased fear among the population. Violence has increased throughout the country, as has the number of local leaders being murdered.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Colombia since 1991. In Chocó, we inform indigenous groups about their rights and provide legal aid in questions relating to land rights and compensation after having been forced to flee. In Catrú we help make sure that children get to go to school, and provide clean water to the community.

Photo: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/NRC — Emberafolket bruker kroppsmaling som de maler i flotte mønstre på kroppen. Malingen lager de av saften av frukten "jagua" som de blander med sot slik at den blir sort. Har man god tid, får fruktsaften en mørkere farge om man lar den ligge en stund. Foto: Ana Karina Delgado Diaz/Flyktninghjelpen

Ønsker et fredelig liv

En av landsbylederne forteller at det ikke er første gang folket hans blir drevet på flukt, og han er frustrert over situasjonen.

– Folket vårt blir tvunget til å forlate jorda vår og alle de tingene vi trenger: dyra og avlingene våre – kakao, banan og mais, forteller han.

Han sier han ønsker seg et fredelig liv.

– Denne konflikten har vart altfor lenge. Vi har tross alt bare ett liv.

Dette gjør Flyktninghjelpen

Flyktninghjelpen har jobbet i Colombia siden 1991.

– I Chocó informerer vi urfolksgrupper om hvilke rettigheter de har og vi gir juridisk hjelp i spørsmål knyttet til rettigheter til land og oppreisning etter å ha blitt drevet på flukt, forteller Judith Palacios, som jobber med juridisk rådgivning i Flyktninghjelpen. – I denne landsbyen bidrar vi til at barna får gå på skolen og sørger for rent vann til lokalsamfunnet.