In its most recent 2022 report, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, counted 110 million refugees and displaced persons in the world. On that list, Colombia was the second country in the world with the highest number of internal displacement, only surpassed by Syria.
The decades-long armed conflict persists and worsens in some regions of the country, despite the historic 2016 peace agreement signed by the government and the FARC.
Due to this conflict between the different illegal groups and the Colombian State, many Colombians are forced to leave their homes abruptly due to displacement due to violence in various regions of Colombia.
The luggage is light, just what fits in a small suitcase to survive a few days; but the burden of fear and anxiety is even heavier.
“The illegal armed forces took over the Algerian people completely. The police left the town, they were the ones who stayed there in charge, it was a total disaster, a lot of shooting, well, a lot of murder; so because of that, it was the great reason for us to leave the field, ”he mentioned to the voice of americaJuan Jose Valencia.
The different attacks and threats from the armed groups made Juan José Valencia, along with his brother, leave their lands in Argelia and Sonsón, small towns located in the department of Antioquia, where they grew coffee, cane and bananas, among other products.
“One is already taught to be in the countryside, to live with animals, with chickens, and pigs, with cows, horses, all that going out to town on horseback,” he told the VOAJuan Jose Valencia.
In August 1996, paramilitaries from the Peasant Self-Defense Forces of Córdoba and Urabá murdered six people. An attack that Juan José and Víctor interpreted as an ultimatum.
“It’s hard to leave one’s territory, one’s house, one’s home, get away from family, but always thinking about being a little better and moving forward,” he said. voice of americaVíctor Valencia, the youngest of the Valencia brothers.
She arrived in Bogotá when she was only 18 years old and together with Juan, she decided to fight for new dreams, despite the fact that the war and displacement wanted to take them away.
“I was the one who started working on my own in the street with an arepa cart, things went well, thank God. From there we got the place, I continued working with my brother, here we go, but you always have to persevere”, added Víctor.
Perseverance, accompanied by effort, dedication and a desire to grow, led these brothers to create their food business, which already has more than 10 employees.
A business that has not only been a source of livelihood for the Valencias, but has also become a refuge for fellow countrymen with similar experiences. When they opened their premises, they embarked on the social work of helping displaced people like Diego and Adrián, two young people who also fled violence.
“They welcomed me, they gave me housing, they gave me a job, I have a good salary,” he told the voice of americaAdrián García González, displaced.
“The help and welcome have been super, because they are good people and they have helped me get ahead,” said Diego Alexis Dávila, a displaced person.
Analía Kim, spokesperson for the UNHCR Americas Regional Office, told the voice of america that in recent years have intensified and have represented difficulties for the inhabitants of these territories.
“In 2022, new internal displacements were registered in Colombia that affected approximately 214,700 people,” he said.
Today the Valencia brothers are an example of self-improvement and social assistance. They have three commercial premises and ensure that war can never be greater than desire.
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