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UNHCR says 556 Embera Indians Fled Violence in Colombia
UNHCR, March 30, 2004
Representatives of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said 556 members of the Embera Indian community have been forced from their lands in Colombia by clashes between insurgents and militias in the area.
The displaced people "are mostly women, children and the elderly" from the Egoroquera, Union Baquiaza and La Playita communities who have fled to the western jungle regions of Boca de Opagado and Puerto Antioquia, a UNHCR spokesman said.
Two UNHCR officials who traveled to the area this past weekend said members of the Embera community fled their homes due to violent clashes between the rightist United Self Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, and leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrillas.
"Their top needs are drinking water, waste disposal and health care," the spokesman for the Geneva-based U.N. agency said.
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