Kokusai Hoken Iryo (Journal of International Health)
Online ISSN : 2436-7559
Print ISSN : 0917-6543
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Landmine Victim Assistance in Colombia: Recent Trends and Challenges
Kyo TakahashiMasamine Jimba
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2015 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 15-21

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Abstract
  Colombia faces difficulties in providing assistance to landmine victims as a result of long-drawn-out armed conflict against guerrilla groups and narco-traffickers. The present article describes recent trends and future challenges for landmine victim assistance in Colombia.
  Governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations as well as landmine victims’ groups are important actors for assisting landmine victims: Governmental organization modify laws, non-governmental organizations provide proper medical care, international organizations contribute financial and technical cooperation, and landmine victims’ groups build networks among landmine victims.
   However, various challenges remain. First, because most explosions occur in mountainous areas, victim access to medical care is difficult. Transferring landmine victims to a medical institution takes a lot of time. Second, as many people cannot go back to their landmine-polluted hometown, this internal displacement has led to problems regarding the resettlement of victims in landmine-free areas. It is not easy for them to participate in the new society. Finally, although many landmine victims suffer from psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological care is often inadequate.
  The increase in the number of landmine victims in Colombia requires the establishment of an efficient landmine victim assistance system.
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© 2015 by JAPAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
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