Displacement grew 41% in during the first semester of 2008

Every day 1500 people were forced to run away from their homes and their fields in Colombia, according to the report for the first semester of 2008 made by NGO Human Rights and Displacement Consultancy (Codhes). According to their report, 270.675 people had to leave their homes and towns during those first six months of the year. According to their studies, this is 41% more than during those same months last year. Paramilitary and guerrilla threats continue to be the main reason for displacements. Even though Accion Social, the Colombian presidential agency that deals with emergency help and other programs for displaced population has counted a lower number of cases, they have 117.248 people displaced people up until August 31st, they too have seen a growth in the amount of cases this years. Both the NGO and the government agency agree that the two departments with the gravest situation are Chocó and Antioquia.