On Tuesday 22 November 2005, la Campaña Colombiana contra Mines (CCCM), Handicap International (HI) and Mines Action Canada (MAC) released the victim assistance findings of Landmine Monitor Report 2005 in Medellín, capital of the heavily mine-affected Antioquia province in Colombia. Since 1990, 27 percent of Colombia's casualties were reported in Antioquia and the danger of mines is an integral part of many people's lives. It affects whole communities, their economic activities and hurts the most vulnerable.
Almost 100 people participated in the release, including members of the media, Governor Anibal Gaviera Correra, Vice-Presidency, Observatorio de Minas, mayor's office, UNICEF Colombia, CIREC, ICRC, Colombian Red Cross, Orthopraxis, Paz y Democracia, local hospitals and mine survivor's organizations. Over twenty landmine survivors from throughout the country participated in the event.
The event was moderated by Dominique Delvigne of Handicap International. Landmine Monitor Project Manager Jackie Hansen presented the key global report findings, followed by Victim Assistance Research Coordinator Katleen Maes who spoke about the global victim assistance findings. Americas Research Specialist Charlie Avendaño outlined the regional victim assistance situation and CCCM coordinator Alvaro Jimenez Millan highlighted the successes and challenges in ensuring Colombians have access to adequate victim assistance. CCCM Departmental Coordinator for Cacuta Franciney Chaux, himself a landmine survivor, spoke about the experiences that landmine survivors faced and urged increased and sustained action. Governor of Antiquia Anibal Gaviera Correra spoke about actions his government is taking to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines.
After the press conference, a media tour was organized, which will result in several features in leading weekly publications, such as la Semana. The group was guided by fourteen year old landmine survivor Jhon Ferney, who talked about his experiences in his community, school, home and at the hospital where he receives treatment. The group visited all these places under his lead and spoke to medical and rehabilitation experts.
The press conference was well attended by national and local radio, television and print media. Event organizers and speakers and landmine survivors were interviewed extensively by the media both before and after the press conference. News of the launch stretched around the globe, with wire stories from AP, AFP, Reuters and EFE, among others, being re-published in newspapers around the world. Wire stories and press releases were found in publications including The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and the Seattle Post. Within Colombia, El Tiempo, El Colombiano, El País, El Heraldo and El Mundo covered the launch activities.
Charlie Avendaño and Alvaro Jimenez Millan were seen across Colombia on Caracol, RCN and Tele Antioquia. Millan and Jackie Hansen were featured on national radio.
Photos of the event are online at: http://www.icbl.org/imagelibrary/6MSP/LM_Launch_Medellin
Summary of media coverage:
- AFP in Spanish
- AP in Spanish and English
- Reuters/Reuters Alertnet
- EFE
- The Guardian
- Los Angeles Times
- Miami Herald
- Seattle Times
- El Tiempo
- El Colombiano
- El País
- El Mundo
- Terra Honduras
- Caracol Radio and TV
- RCN Radio and TV
- 13 Hora
- Tele Antioquia
- El Heraldo
- CRI China Broadcast in English
- Baltimore Sun
- San Diego Post
- Seattle Post
- Daily Journal (Venezuela)
- The State
- News Day
- Times Daily
- The Ledger
- Related events organized by HI were covered by Belgian media
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