Since 2021, HI has been carrying out humanitarian demining operations in the Cañón de las Hermosas, in Chaparral, a region with an abundance of biodiversity where communities traditionally engage in agricultural and pastoral activities. In addition to making the land safe from the threat of explosive devices, HI is helping communities to implement projects that will contribute to their economic development and the well-being of their community.
Climate change affecting crops
When HI began its operations in Chaparral in 2021, the teams immediately forged links with the different communities living on these lands. After extensive discussions with the inhabitants and local associations such as ASOHERMOSAS, the issue of adapting to climate change was identified as one of the biggest challenges. In order to transform agricultural production systems and adopt safe, sustainable lifestyles, the community wanted to build greenhouses.
“The effects of climate change are very noticeable here. It's a major challenge for us as farmers and peasants. Thanks to the construction of greenhouses, we can work knowing that we won't lose our crops to climate hazards,” explains Alcides Guerrero, a member of ASOHERMOSAS.
HI supplied the necessary materials and employed local people for the construction work. Between 2022 and 2024, four greenhouses were built. Each greenhouse also has its own water tanks to water the crops.
"It's a dream come true. The climate has a big impact on our plantations, which is why we wanted to adopt these new technologies to have a safe environment for our crops," adds Edwar Campos, President of the ASOHERMOSAS association.
Promoting food sovereignty
Workshops were organised to train local residents in the use and maintenance of their new greenhouses. HI has also organised awareness-raising sessions on living together, discussing issues such as gender equality.
“Everyone participates and works together, which helps to strengthen cohesion within the community. We now want to increase the number of greenhouses to boost production and vary the crops we grow: tomatoes, peppers, onions, coriander, maize, beans, bananas, etc.” explains Álvaro Lozano, HI's community liaison officer.
Thanks to the produce harvested from the four greenhouses, the Chaparral communities are more self-sufficient and more resilient in the face of climate hazards. This increased food sovereignty also benefits the whole region.
“It opens the door to hope. Our dream is that one day the region will once again be the “food basket” of the town of Chaparral,” concludes Ulises Dueñez, treasurer of ASOHERMOSAS.
A return to the land
At Cañón de las Hermosas, HI's humanitarian demining teams worked on land at between 1,800 and 4,000 metres above sea level. These operations, carried out between 2021 and 2024, have made safe more than 42,800 m² of land. The land freed from the threat of mines will be officially handed back to the 47,293 inhabitants in November 2024.
The demining project in the municipality of Chaparral in the department of Tolima in Colombia is funded by the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, part of the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). In Colombia, HI carries out demining operations in the departments of Antioquia, Córdoba, Cauca, Nariño and Meta.
