Support the Peace Process and Demobilization in Colombia
On June 21, Congress gave José and his younger brother, Edward, good reason to smile.
The House passed a foreign-assistance bill that takes a significant step toward improving U.S. aid to Colombia by better balancing military aid with
social and economic assistance vital to helping 3.8 million Colombians -
los desplazados - who were forced off their lands by Colombia's long-running conflict.
The bill includes a large increase in humanitarian aid -
aid to help Colombians displaced as a result of conflict, strengthen the judicial system, invest in rural development and help farmers turn away from growing coca, the main ingredient in cocaine.
Specifically, this bill:
- shifts funding from 76 percent military and police aid and 24 percent development aid to a more balanced 55-45 split;
- increases support to strengthen the rule of law, including to establish a victims' protection program, provide legal representation for victims, and to implement the paramilitary demobilization law; and
- includes $15 million for economic-development activities benefiting Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.
Mercy Corps joined dozens of other groups asking Congress to reorient U.S. aid policy. We've taken a critical step forward - but our work is not finished.
Soon, the U.S. Senate will take up the foreign-assistance bill and consider the question of how best to aid Colombia.
Help us persuade the Senate to do the right thing and endorse this new approach to U.S. aid to Colombia!Dear Senators,
Fighting in Colombia among left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug traffickers and the army has helped to create the largest population of internally displaced people outside Sudan - nearly four million, and growing.
The previous Colombian aid package, Plan Colombia, has not slowed this escalating humanitarian crisis. The foreign-assistance bill recently passed by the House of Representatives gives us a historic chance to change course.
The House bill takes a significant step toward improving U.S. aid to Colombia by better balancing military aid with social and economic assistance vital to helping 3.8 million Colombians - los desplazados - forced off their lands by Colombia's long-running conflict. It includes a large increase in humanitarian aid - aid to help Colombians displaced as a result of conflict, strengthen the judicial system, invest in rural development and help farmers turn away from growing coca, the main ingredient in cocaine.
We believe the House foreign-assistance bill makes important improvements to U.S. aid to Colombia. We urge you to help renew the hope for peace in Colombia and its 3.8 million desplazados by voting for these vital changes.
[Your Comment]
Thank you.
Signed,
[Your name]
[Your address]
