The Victims Unit, through its individual reparation component, carried out a new day of awarding compensation for the victims who live in this department.

Fulfilling its mission of repairing the victims of armed conflict in a comprehensive manner, the Victims Unit developed a new day to deliver letters of administrative compensation for victims of the armed conflict who live in Risaralda and who are prioritized by age (older than 74 years), disability or suffering from a high cost illness.

“The Unit continues to fulfill its objectives of improving the quality of life of the people who had to suffer the rigors of the armed conflict throughout the national territory; Risaralda is a receiving department and for this reason we want the victims to receive compensation and remain in good condition in the territory”, said Laura Moreno, territorial director of the Unit in the Coffee Region.

On this occasion, the delivery of 183 compensation transfers was fulfilled with an investment by the entity that amounts to $ 1.498 million pesos, for victims who live in the municipalities of Apía, Santuario, Dosquebradas, Pereira and Santa Rosa. The entity also directed the beneficiaries to invest this money in lines such as housing, higher education or individual productive projects.

“I thank God and the Unit very much for having all the patience in the world, they have treated us very well and with this money I will be able to put the floor in the apartment that the Government also gave me and set up a fast food stand; I come from Gigante, Huila, displaced and this year, despite the difficulties, we are given a new opportunity to get ahead, ”said Martha Moreno *, beneficiary of the conference.

In the same way, in the attention given to the victims during the delivery of the compensation letter, they are reminded of the anti-fraud campaign "Don't believe everything you hear", in order to prevent people from being revictimized by scammers who only want to take advantage of the resources that the State gives to the victims through the Unit, since all the procedures before the entity are free.

Finally José Barbosa *, another of those benefited with the compensation, indicated that “I am very happy and grateful to you, this money does not compensate for all the sufferings that I have had since the conflict, being in a wheelchair, but it certainly helps me to become independent and improve my living conditions, why not have my own house or start a business; I arrived from Putumayo and the city of Pereira has welcomed me in a good way, I ask the other victims for patience, not to lose faith, that compensation will surely come and I hope they know how to invest it”.

* Names changed at the request of the victims.   

(End/EHB/CMC/LMY)