Curfew and dry law decreed in Arauquita to control the humanitarian situation

In an attempt to contain the public order situation arising from the humanitarian crisis facing Arauquita (Arauca), the local government issued a decree with preventive and transitional measures seeking to help manage the situation. Among the guidelines, issued by the authorities on March 29, stands out the Curfew and dry law that will be in effect until April 9.

“There will be an eight o’clock in the evening to six o’clock in the morning curfew in order to avoid creating disturbances, crowds or any criminal act in the territory. Our military forces are ready to respond to any situation “, assured Juan Carlos Agudelo, secretary of the government of Arauquita.

As the manager indicated, the curfew starts at 8:00 a.m.. until 6:00 p.m. the next day. In reference to dry law, it will be implemented for periods of twelve hours: between 6:00 p.m. and until 6:00 a.m. the next day.

The decree also includes other measures such as:

– Prohibit the transport of construction materials between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

– No means of transport can park in front of public and private entities, educational establishments and the promenade between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. During this same period as well River boats are prohibited from sailing on the right bank of the Arauca River.

– Barbecue is prohibited on all motorcycles between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

– Pedestrian crossing on the banks of the Arauca River is prohibited in the hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Of the same shape, the mayor’s office of Arauquita reminded all citizens to continue practicing self-management measures to prevent covid-19 infections.

These measurements were published a day after the The national government will declare a state of public calamity in the department of Arauca. Recent decisions are due to the fact that last week More than 4,700 people, including Colombians and Venezuelans, have been displaced from their homes, located at the border, to escape the clashes between the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of that country and the dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

By establishing public calamity for the department of Arauca, all humanitarian assistance mechanisms will be activated to guarantee decent living, health and food conditions to the more than 4,700 people who have arrived in the region, at the following clashes with illegal armed groups. on the border with Venezuela, explained Daniel Palacios, Minister of the Interior, after the meeting of the Unified Command Post (PMU) held in Arauquita on March 28.

The statement will apply to the entire department, because Arauquita is not the only municipality currently hosting refugees. The same situation exists in the capital, Arauca and Saravena.

The minister said that with PMU, they seek to provide an institutional response, including the priority is the humanitarian attention of the affected population. This area includes the guarantee of decent conditions, health and food for the rapid return of people living in the border area.

“Our objective is to conclude the characterization process that will allow us to have a real census of the number of citizens who are in the refuge are Venezuelan citizens and the number of Colombians returning. In addition, to know who is in the condition of the victims, to understand that here what can be is a vocation of return due to a temporary situation that occurs on Venezuelan territory “said the Minister of the Interior.

To carry out this work, Palacio pointed out that the government is working hand in hand with the International Organization for Migration (IMO) and with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr), the two entities attached to the United Nations (HIM-SHE-IT).

Other international organizations aware of the situation are the The Red Cross, which provided an emergency medical team (EMT) made up of 20 people. They are in the temporary shelter, located in the village of Bayonero, district of Cajaro, in Arauquita.

Unicef Colombia also provided 2,000 diapers and 99 family hygiene kits. Likewise, it made available 12 sinks, 15 toilets and 8 portable showers which are located in two of the shelters. Likewise, they work with around 300 boys and girls, who participate in educational recreational activities focused on their emotional recovery.

As for the national government, Minister Palacios requested various specific entities for their collaboration. These include Migración Colombia, Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD), Border Management, Victim Protection Unit, among others. The aim is for these entities to help provide humanitarian aid needy families, which include markets, toiletry kits, mattresses, tents, kitchen utensils and other necessary to achieve the goal of care.

These actions are a response to a wake-up call sent by the Arauca authorities. On March 27, the governor of this department, José Facundo Castillo, declared that the capacities of the local administration are overwhelmed by the situation.

“We must seek international aid to help act in Venezuela, so that this situation ends, because otherwise we will continue with these 5,000 people for a long time. Since the conflict exists there, this population will not return. We must guarantee that this population returns to its territory, that it has guarantees for its life and for that that an international organization is necessary. The Colombian state cannot do much in this situation ”, Castillo said.

The concern of the Araucanians is that the situation becomes a problem of health and public order in the territory, since an ambulance is also necessary in Arauquita. This factor is already studied by the departmental administration; increased reinforcement of prehospital and medical care at the San Lorenzo hospital in the municipality.

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