The 1,553 Colombians who crossed the border into Ecuador last week
have returned to their country.

On Thursday, the displaced Colombians reached an agreement with
the Colombian Government. IOM staff accompanied the returning group
to the border, in close coordination with the Ecuadorian Government
and United Nations (UN) agencies.

As part of the agreement, the Colombian Government agreed to
continue the dialogue and negotiations with the group once back on
Colombia soil.

In October 2005, IOM began carrying out a programme that
provides technical and material support to address the emergency
situation faced by Colombians who flee their country and seek
protection across international borders due to the violence of
illegal armed groups in their country. The programme, funded by the
US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and
Migration (PRM), covers Colombia's border with Ecuador, Panama and
Venezuela and aims to assist those seeking protection as well as
host communities.

The Ecuadorian Government, civil society and the international
community working on the Ecuadorian side of the border, provide
continuous assistance to new arrivals, some of which may apply for
asylum and be considered refugees.

For more information, please contact:

Ana María Guzmán

IOM Quito

Tel: +593 2-22-53-948/49

E-mail: "mailto:aguzman@oim.org.ec" target="_blank" title=
"">aguzman@oim.org.ec