In the past few months, stories of Colombians fleeing armed violence and crossing into Ecuador seeking international protection have become commonplace.  Colombians who enter Ecuador tell IOM they are leaving their country in search of a life without violence and a better future for their children.

Since October 2005, with funding from the US Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM has been providing emergency assistance to Colombians in the border areas of Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

Antonio's Story

"My name is Antonio; I am from Valparaíso de Caquetá, Colombia.  I was born there, but I grew up in Los Rosales. 

More than a year ago, I moved with my family in search of work to the border community of Puerto Rico, in Colombia. 

During the last few months, prior to the conflict, I had been working as a plowman on a farm.

After the armed confrontations, we crossed into Ecuador for the first time: my wife, our children and I.

While we were living in Puerto Rico, the presence of the army and the guerrilla forces was not so bad, but we were always afraid that there would be confrontations between the police and the guerrillas because we always heard that these types of conflicts happened near there.  We always expected that, because there were already casualties, complaints and confrontations on the roads.

One morning, gray helicopters flew over our community.  At noon, the guerrillas attacked first, they were firing against the anti-narcotics police who were in the town.  Then the Colombian air force arrived.  The police came into town, to take refuge in people's homes, and there was shooting every which way – they didn't care if there were women and children around.

In the midst of this exchange, we ran away, desperate, and crossed over to the Ecuadorian side.  We ran away without even knowing where we were going; without knowing if we were going to have anything to eat. 

Once we crossed the border, we got to a place called La Cadena and almost immediately the Ecuadorian authorities arrived and took us to shelters where they were gathering all of the Colombians that were arriving, and where the International Organization for Migration was providing support.

With support from IOM, the authorities and other international agencies, our arrival was less traumatic.  Shelter, food, and medicines were part of the assistance provided.  This support was vital for our integration into the local community.

We hope that as time goes by, we can have some peace of mind, get help to build a home, and have a decent and stable job that will enable us to make a living."