Location: Colombia - Chocó and d'Antioquia deparments, Medio Atrato region

Situation: Since 2003, Doctors of the World (DOW) has been supporting local indigenous rural populations and afro-Colombian victims of the armed conflict, the intensity of which has been marked by the resurgence of paramilitaries, the presence of drug traffickers and the desire of the government to use military means to overcome the guerillas (who have strong support and a solid financial base). This instability worsens the isolation of these populations and makes access to healthcare difficult.

Activities:

DOW is carrying out prevention activities, as well as providing medical consultations, for groups who are isolated by the local geography or by the armed conflict. These mobile clinics use canoes to reach the communities, and are carried out in collaboration with Colombian health services. By training community volunteers we can develop health promotion projects, activities to tackle malnutrition and can monitor pregnant women and young children. MdM is also very involved in strengthening a long-term project as part of a network of health actors (advocacy). This work has been developed while respecting local socio-cultural characteristics, particularly the promotion of traditional plant-based medicine. As a result of the project 65 information and education activities, 18 mobile clinics and 14 promotion and prevention "brigades" have been carried out in 34 communities.
Outlook:
The project will strengthen the capacity of the communities and of health professionals in relation to prevention and response to  medical emergencies. The number of medical consultations will be reduced to make way for more health education activities, involving the trained community health promoters.