19 Apr 2012

ECUADOR / COLOMBIAN REFUGEES

People continue to flee to Ecuador to escape violence in neighbouring Colombia. Some have to make tough choices while seeking safety. UNHCR

Posted at: April 19, 2012 3:39 pm

Duration: 02:27

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: ECUADOR / COLOMBIAN REFUGEES
TRT: 2.27
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / SPANISH / NATS

DATELINE: 8, 9 MARCH 2012, SAN LORENZO, ECUADOR

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, San Lorenzo port with boats
2. Med shot, Padilla and his family
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Padilla, Colombian refugee:
"We have been here for nearly two weeks. We came because there were three groups in the place where we were living- two of paramilitaries and one of guerrillas - and they are wreaking havoc. They are killing a lot of the local people."
4. Med shot, Lady and her children walking
5. Med shot, children smiling
6. Med shot, Lady packing
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lady, Colombian refugee:
"How can I put it? It hurt me a lot when I had to leave as I had never been far away from them, never.  And now I feel, I don't know, everything might be going well there but I worry about them as they are alone there."  
8. Various shots, IDP children
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Oscar Sanchez Pineiro, UNHCR Ecuador:
"The violence in Colombia, the reasons why they fled haven't changed. There have been talks by NGOs and reports we have been gathering that the conditions in the Pacific Coast have been worsening."  
10. Med shot, Lady and her son
11. Wide shot, Padilla's family talking to UNHCR staff
12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Padilla, Colombian refugee:
"Well, more relaxed, calmer, without the fear, without the persecution paranoia - that's gone."
13. Various shots, San Lorenzo port

STORYLINE:

San Lorenzo, a small town on the north coast of Ecuador, receives hundreds of Colombian refugees. They are seeking safety from ongoing conflict and violence across the border.

Padilla and his family are among the new arrivals. They had to leave their home in Colombia's Pacific region fearing for their lives. They were targeted.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Padilla, Colombia refugee: 
"We have been here for nearly two weeks. We came because there were three groups in the place where we were living– two of paramilitaries and one of guerrillas and they are wreaking havoc. They are killing a lot of the local people."

For this family, the decision to leave was heart wrenching. It tore the family apart.

Two of the older children were left behind.

Even after selling all their belongings there was not enough money to pay for 
everyone's transport.

For Padilla's wife Lady, the fate of her separated children is agonizing.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lady, Colombian refugee:
"How can I put it? It hurt me a lot when I had to leave as I had never been far away from them, never.  And now I feel, I don't know, everything might be going well there but I worry about them as they are alone there."

The ongoing violence in Colombia has disrupted the lives of thousands.

UNHCR provided shelters and support so people can mix in the local communities.

But there is little chance they will be going home soon.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Oscar Sanchez Pineiro, UNHCR Ecuador:
"The violence in Colombia, the reasons why they fled haven't changed. There have been talks by the NGO and reports we have been gathering that the conditions in the Pacific Coast have been worsening."

And so the family waits. Padilla feels safer in Ecuador trying to keep in touch with the separated children through phone and hopes to work and arrange for his two children to join them soon.

SOUNDBITE (English) Padilla, Colombian refugee:
"Well, more relaxed, calmer, without the fear, without the persecution paranoia - that's gone."
Ecuador today hosts the largest number of refugees in South America with some 59000 Colombians compelled to seek safety in the country.

Filed under 13.01.00 - PROTECTION OF AND ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS ECUADOR UNHCR - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.