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MSF work in Colombia hindered by the confusion between military actions and humanitarianism

"We're very worried about the consequences that this type of confusion could have on the security of our teams in the field, and on our ability to access populations in zones isolated by the conflict," said Grant Leaity who, with David Cantero, are two of the four MSF Heads of Mission in Colombia.
Since the events in early July linked to the use of a false humanitarian identity by the Colombian military in the liberation of hostages, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical teams have been forced to cancel or postpone mobile clinics in numerous rural areas in Colombia. This has a direct negative impact on the well being of the population living in conflict areas, specifically in the departments of Narino, Tolima, Guaviare and Cauca.

The humanitarian medical organisation lost access to 35 percent of the zones where we work, resulting in a reduction of activity of approximately 300 medical consultations per week.

MSF is deeply concerned by the misuse of the identity of a humanitarian organization in a military-driven operation. The misuse of a false humanitarian identity by armed forces is highly likely to cause confusion amongst the civilian population and armed groups. This results in a lack of trust in humanitarian organizations by the civilian population and armed groups, who doubt the independent, impartial and neutral nature of humanitarian agencies, and put the security of humanitarian workers at risk.

"We're very worried about the consequences that this type of confusion could have on the security of our teams in the field, and on our ability to access populations in zones isolated by the conflict," said Grant Leaity who, with David Cantero, are two of the four MSF Heads of Mission in Colombia.

"In the light of the situation, we want to stress that our action is totally independent from any government, military and armed groups, and from their interests and activities. MSF insists on having unhindered access to the civilian communities that request our medical support. MSF also had no knowledge of, and played no part in, the liberation of hostages in Colombia on July 2."

People who live in rural areas of Colombia are particularly vulnerable and suffer the consequences of the armed conflict: they lack access to primary healthcare services, and suffer from shortage of food and live in isolation. In order to alleviate the consequences of this humanitarian crisis, the MSF teams work in 14 departments of the country providing medical care to these populations.

In 2007, MSF carried out 101,000 medical consultations and 17,000 psychological consultations. In order to continue to assist this population, MSF demands that the independence of humanitarian action be respected and its image not used by any other group for any other purposes.

MSF has worked in Colombia since 1985 providing medical and psychological care, social orientation services and relief support to thousands of people affected by the conflict. The organization also responds to epidemics and natural disasters. Currently, over 280 people work in the MSF projects in 14 Colombian departments.

http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=74246AF4-15C5-...

By august on Jul 30, 2008, 08:29 in Politics & the war.

august says on Jul 30, 2008, 08:30:

Alright, Romy wins there. But still!

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Sam Salmon says on Jul 30, 2008, 20:06:

I know a number of people involved with MSF-the organisation means well but is plagued by flakiness and poor decision making capability.

This whole story reeks of mierda.

' a la orden!'

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Chriscan says on Jul 30, 2008, 22:03:

There is a military outpost near where I live that looks like a school at first glance. There are cartoon charactors all over the walls. I'm not going to make an official complaint but it certianly does bother me. On the other hand, I feel better knowing that they are there.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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tasco66 says on Jul 31, 2008, 09:15:

They must be joking!

See their logo below. Well before they that little guy walking, they had a cross (just like the Red Cross). They were sued by the Red Cross, and had to change their logo.

The French are “les rois de l’hypocrisie »

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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tasco66 says on Jul 31, 2008, 09:19:

Found their original logo here

"We're very worried about the consequences that this type of confusion..." That's what the Red Cross said too when they saw the original MSF logo...Jajajaja

Never trust what the French say...

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 31, 2008, 09:45:

If MSF really lost access to 35% of the areas where they work it's because those are FARC areas and the FARC is running them off to deliberately create controversy, not out of any real practical consideration.

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romy says on Jul 31, 2008, 10:34:

is that what terrorism is all about? did U not know he was dealing with terrorists?

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august says on Jul 31, 2008, 14:08:

No, Romy, my comment above was because you had posted the same article in the time that it took me to post it. I was just giving credit where credit was due.

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romy says on Jul 31, 2008, 14:34:

august- I was referring to Hollywood's comment... I had noticed that we posted the same thing... I have no problem with that, but grateful that others are willing to take a look at such important issues. Besides, I really like MSF

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tasco66 says on Jul 31, 2008, 14:50:

romy, how do you like their old logo?

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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romy says on Jul 31, 2008, 15:04:

That cross is a symbol of Health and Aid... therefore appropriate... though I can understand why these agencies want to separate themselves from each other as they don't want to be held responsible or suffer the consequences for the actions of the other. Something U pissed all over... no class at all from the montañero :(

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tasco66 says on Jul 31, 2008, 15:09:

I pissed over what???

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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romy says on Jul 31, 2008, 15:13:

U-RIB-Eh

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august says on Jul 31, 2008, 15:22:

fair nuff, romy, right on.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 31, 2008, 15:52:

Sorry Romy, but your post read like a text message so I didn't really get it at the time.

I don't think it's Uribe's job to spend a lot of energy second guessing how the FARC might manipulate a French medical NGO because he greenlighted a rescue mission involving a fake NGO. It's sad for the people not getting medical care but ultimately the blame for that falls on the FARC for their cynical actions.

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romy says on Jul 31, 2008, 16:23:

Ultimately yes it's FARC that's carrying out the actions therefore responsible... But, Red Cross is not a fake NGO, thus where the government actions become shady and put similar organizations at risk. Or maybe if the purpose is to get these organizations out of the country then Uribe should have the balls to tell them to get out that he's going to take care of his people himself and doesn't need their help.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 31, 2008, 17:25:

I haven't followed it that closely but I thought the issue was using the red cross SYMBOL, not the name. the "organization" that they created to do the bunko "humanitarian exchange" was a totally different name, not the Red Cross or Cruz Roja.

I don't know about you, but I've got a couple Swiss Army knives, a first aid kit and some luggage that also has that logo or something very close to it on it. I hope I'm not confusing the FARC when I use them.

http://www.flags.net/images/largeflags/ICRC0001.GIF

http://www.fotw.us/flags/ch.html

http://www.swissarmy.com/pages/ProductEnlargeImagePopUp.aspx?category=...

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august says on Aug 1, 2008, 07:37:

No, Mr. Hollywood, it was literally the CICR logo that was used by the soldier - symbol, words, todo.

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romy says on Aug 1, 2008, 07:43:

what organization did they create? do you have any specifics or are you just repeating what was said without knowing?

the logo symbolizes the organization... can't you see that the integrity of the organization is then shattered? and not just locally but could have international implications...

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tasco66 says on Aug 1, 2008, 07:54:

OK, I give up and agree with romy, that soldier disobeying orders and wearing a Red Cross logo is unacceptable (even though none of the hostages saw it). Let’s give Ingrid back to the Farc and present them with our most sincere excuses

What I find funny is that for the Red Cross this incident is now considered closed, but for our PBH lefties, we will still be discussing it ten years from now

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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romy says on Aug 1, 2008, 08:12:

psssst tasco, the issue is with MSF... keep up

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tasco66 says on Aug 1, 2008, 08:18:

Romy, I don’t know why desi has not made a mod out of you, you have all the qualifications

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 1, 2008, 08:22:

Re discussing the Red Cross issue ten years from now -- maybe that's not so bad. The debates over the number of continents and the origin of the word Gringo were getting kind of stale.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 1, 2008, 10:27:

I really missed the part where the integrity of the International Red Cross was "shattered" by one soldier wearing a T-shirt. Must not have gotten that memo. I don't think the ICRC has either.

I agree with Tasco666, let's round up the former hostages and give them back. If Uribe won't play "fair" with the FARC then he needs a big mean spanking, too.

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romy says on Aug 1, 2008, 10:33:

it's not about the FARC... Hollywood I thought you were serious in discussion I guess I'll treat you as I do tasco, a little boy

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 1, 2008, 10:39:

Why is it not about the FARC? I think it IS about the FARC. They're the ones who are allegedly not allowing MSF to operate in places they did before, to the detriment of many people. The stuff about a red cross T-shirt is a tempest in a teapot.

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romy says on Aug 1, 2008, 10:48:

No it's between the Colombian government and international agreements. FARC everyone knows (or thinks they know) what they're all about, their involvement in this is a side note as their criminality is clear. Let me know if you want to imply MSF is sending a FARC sympathizing message to the Colombian government... I believe in their neutrality but could be proven wrong if you have evidence.

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tasco66 says on Aug 1, 2008, 10:49:

"The stuff about a red cross T-shirt is a tempest in a teapot."

Yep, but that's the only thing our PBH lefties got to chew on...

Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master

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august says on Aug 1, 2008, 11:50:

Shouldn´t the righties like Tasco being calling for less government and therefore less unrestrained Uribe? What happened to the definition of right vs. left? Or, Tasco, are you actually what you term a "lefty?"

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 1, 2008, 13:02:

I always assumed MSF was neutral.

But I think you're wrong about "everyone" knowing about the FARC's criminality. It wasn't long ago that a whole lot of people were acting as if it were Uribe and the Colombian government who were responsible for the kidnapping of Ingrid and others.

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gatogris says on Aug 1, 2008, 13:30:

The record of Doctors Without Borders is almost beyond reproach. They have been permitted access to wounded populations by the Tamil Tigers, the Lords' Resistence Army in Northern Uganda, Al Queda-in-Iraq, territory in Transiteria controlled by Albanian white slavers, and up untill a few months ago, had 87 doctors working to protect the carrion of Northern Somalia from the snarling jackal warlords who call it home. This organization has successfully fended off efforts by dozens of illegal armed groups to link it to Western imperial projects.

This is no bureacracy riven by factionalism and grad-school-bred obscurantism and staffed by limousine-liberal, Vouvray-sipping members of a bourgeois salon. This is Western colonialism at its very best - systems analysts and conflict resolution experts working alongside high-level trauma surgeons, bolstered by teams of paramedics with organized supply chains that deliver the goods.

They could teach a few things to US Military intelligence.

That the FARC are preventing the MSF from doing their job shows just how far they have sunk into a deep, abiding and vicious paranoia. Anyone who has studied paranoid pyschology could lay out what their next few moves will probably involve.

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