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

To try to contain the public order situation derived from the humanitarian crisis faced by Arauquita (Arauca), the local government released a decree with preventive and transitory measures seeking to help manage the situation. Among the guidelines, delivered by the authorities on March 29, stands out the Curfew and dry law that will be in effect until April 9.

“There will be a curfew from eight at night to six in the morning in order to avoid the generation of disorders, crowds or any criminal act within the territory. Our military forces are prepared to respond to any situation “, assured Juan Carlos Agudelo, Secretary of Government of Arauquita.

As the official indicated, the curfew begins at 8:00 a.m. m. until 6:00 pm the next day. Refering to dry law, this will be implemented for periods of twelve hours: between 6:00 pm and until 6:00 am the next day.

The decree also includes other measures such as:

— Prohibit the transport of construction materials between 6:00 pm and 5:00 am

— No means of transport may park in front of public and private entities, educational institutions and the boardwalk between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am During that same period of time also River vessels are prohibited from navigating the right bank of the Arauca River.

— The barbecue man is prohibited on all motorcycles between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am

— Pedestrian crossing on the banks of the Arauca River is prohibited between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am

Similarly, the Mayor’s Office of Arauquita reminded all citizens to continue practicing self-care measures to prevent infections by covid-19.

These measures were released a day after the The national government will declare the state of Public Calamity in the department of Arauca. The decisions taken recently are due to the fact that in the last week More than 4,700 people, including Colombians and Venezuelans, have been displaced from their homes, located on the border, to flee the confrontations between the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of that country and the dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

By establishing the Public Calamity for the department of Arauca, all humanitarian assistance mechanisms will be activated to guarantee decent living, health and food conditions for the more than 4,700 people who have arrived in the region, as a result of clashes of Illegal Armed Groups. on the border with Venezuela, explained Daniel Palacios, Minister of the Interior, at the end of the meeting of the Unified Command Post (PMU) held in Arauquita on March 28.

The declaration will apply to the entire department, since Arauquita is not the only municipality that is receiving refugees at this time. The same situation exists in the capital, Arauca, and Saravena.

The minister stated that, with the PMU, they seek to provide an institutional response, whose priority is the humanitarian attention of the affected population. This sphere includes guaranteeing decent conditions, health and food for the prompt return of the people who live in the border area.

“Our purpose is to conclude the characterization process that will allow us to have a real census of how many of the citizens who are in the shelter are Venezuelan citizens and how many returning Colombians. In addition, to know who is in the condition of victims, understanding that what may exist here is a vocation of return due to a temporary situation that occurs in Venezuelan territory “said the Interior Minister.

To carry out this work, Palacio stressed that the Government is working hand in hand with the International Organization for Migration (OIM) and with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr), both entities attached to the United Nations (HIM-HER-IT).

Other international organizations that are aware of the situation are the Red Cross, which made available an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) made up of 20 people. They are in the provisional shelter, located in the Bayonero village, Cajaro district, in Arauquita.

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

As for the national government, Minister Palacios asked various specific entities for their collaboration. Among those called are Migration Colombia, the Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD), the Border Management, the Victim Protection Unit, among others. The objective is that these entities help to deliver humanitarian aid to needy families, which include markets, toilet kits, mattresses, tents, kitchen utensils and other necessary, to meet 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 that department, José Facundo Castillo, stated that the capacities of the local administration are being 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 an international organization is required. The Colombian State cannot do much in this situation ”, Castillo said.

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