Humanitarian Crisis in Colombian Coal Mining Area
FIAN and the Working Group Switzerland Colombia have sent an open letter to the Colombian government addressing the humanitarian crisis in the municipality of El Hatillo, Cesar Department, Colombia.
The letter requests that Colombia meet its human rights obligations and take the measures necessary to guarantee the right to food of the 130 families in the community.
The community of El Hatillo is surrounded by four surface coal mines. Due to the high levels of dust and the related health problems of the residents, the Colombian government ordered the mining companies to relocate the community, as early as 2010, however the relocation never occurred. Those affected by the coal mines have been left with little productive land, and the mining industry has created only a few jobs for the community members.
The situation has deteriorated in recent weeks compounded by the ongoing drought. Currently, only 13 people from El Hatillo are employed, and the 130 families in the community are struggling to realize their right to food without enough income or enough productive land to buy or produce food.