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."