United Nations Radio

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is partnering with 10 agencies in launching in Bogota a nationwide campaign to help the victims of forced displacement in Colombia.

The Internet-based "Corre por la Vida" (Running for Life) campaign compares forced displacements to a long-distance race, which starts when people have no choice but to flee from conflict, violence and persecution.

UNHCR Spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis:

"The race has many hurdles along the way from finding a new home and a reliable source of income to reaching long-term security and stability. The internal displacement crisis in Colombia is one of the largest and oldest in the world and for many, it is also a race with no clear direction and no end in sight."

Pagonis says the race begins Friday in Bogota and in Medellín with a symbolic race by the campaign's organizers.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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