ZERO MINES FOR THE SAHRAWI PEOPLE
HOPE Foundation support mine clearance operations and sustainable development in Western Sahara.
Western Sahara is one of the most landmine contaminated territory in the world due to a 40 year-long conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
Dozen of Sahrawi people are mutilated or killed by landmines every year, and most of the population is confined in refugee camps, without a safe land to return to.
HOPE foundation is committed to do its part to support the release of cleared land to the Sahrawi and the implementation of sustainable development initiatives.
The first step has been the realisation of a Non- Technical and Technical Survey (NTS-TS) Training in November 2018 to 18 participants from SMACO (National Mine Action Authority) and other humanitarian demining operators.
In the same month, a 5-year agreement between SMACO and HOPE has been signed, to facilitate further cooperation in mine action related projects.
A cooperation agreement with ASAVIM (Sahrawi Association of Landmine Victims) has been also signed in February 2019, to prepare the ground to humanitarian aid and development support to landmine victims.
IMPROVING THE HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE INGA COMMUNITY IN THE YURAYACO RESERVE (CAQUETÁ-COLOMBIA)
HOPE Foundation supports indigenous communities in Colombia.
The Indigenous reserve of Yurayaco (Caquetá), belongs to the Inga ethnic group. They were mitimak-kuna or agricultural military communities and merchants engaged in foreign trade and gathering information for the Inca Empire.
During the Colombian armed conflict, Yurayaco was targeted by several attacks. Between 2007 and 2010 was the hardest period for this community, when the three hills surrounding the reserve were taken by the Colombian Army, the Paramilitaries and the Guerrilla (FARC), putting them in the line of fire. As the population reports, they had to pass many days completely lying on the ground, as bombs and all kinds of ammunition fell into the reserve.
In those same dates, mines were laid on both sides of the reserve, which caused a panic among the inhabitants of him, since they did not know where they could travel and what places were safe.
In Yurayaco, there are 89 residents distributed in 26 families, and also the Yachaicurí educational centre, which concentrates all the children of the other Inga reserves, with a system of full boarding. In addition, there is the headquarters of the Yachaicurí indigenous group and constant meetings are held of all the Inga reserves, so it has a floating population of around 300 people in addition to the 89 residents.
Both the reserve and the educational centre have seen drastically reduced the support provided by the Government and are still endangered by the presence of illegal armed group and narcos in the area.
Do to the lack of medical facilities in the proximity of the reserve, HOPE aims to improve the health condition of the Yurayaco’s indigenous community by providing two advanced first aid kits for the community and the Yachaicurí educational centre in April 2019.
SUPPORTING SPORT FOR CHILDREN IN YURAYACO (COLOMBIA)
HOPE Foundation supports indigenous communities in Colombia.
We remain committed to the Inga community of the indigenous reserve of Yurayaco (Caquetá, Colombia) and we believe that sport is an important means to fight against inequalities.
For this reason, on April 29, 2019, we have delivered complete uniforms and balls for three soccer teams of the Yachaikury Educational Institution: a team of girls aged 13-14, one of children aged 13-14 and one of 16-year-olds. years.
With this intervention, HOPE aims to improve access to sports for the children of this indigenous community so that, in addition to playing, they can learn essential skills that will be useful in their adult life, such as teamwork and cooperation.
This activity is part of the collaboration agreement with Danish Demining Group -Colombia, who provided valuable logistical support.