Women deminers are building the future

More than half the members of HI's humanitarian demining teams in Puerto Concordia are women. They are deminers, team leaders, community liaison officers and members of the medical and logistical support teams. Most are from the region, and all are driven by the same objective: to return land contaminated by explosive devices to their communities.

Committed women

In Puerto Concordia, a village situated on the plains of central Colombia, 37 people work on HI's demining operations. Among them, 22 are women like Tatiana Patiño and Leanys Garizao, two deminers ages 26 and 21. Both joined HI's demining teams in 2022. After two months of theoretical and practical training, they joined the ranks of those who examine every square inch of the earth for potential threats.

"I am fighting to ensure that the dreams of many people, children and adults alike, are not shattered by an explosive device. That's why I want a Colombia free of the threat of explosive devices, where we can all walk without fear and move around our country freely. I am proud to be part of those who are freeing these lands," explains Leanys Garizao.

Tatiana and Leanys live in Puerto Concordia with their children. Tatiana has two, Guadalupe and Juan Diego, aged two and seven. Leanys has a three-year-old son, José Alejandro. It is for them that the two young women work every day. Through their efforts, they hope to pave the way for a promising and peaceful future.

"I want my children, and all the children in this country, to be able to walk in the countryside without fear of an explosive device going off. Knowing that I am part of the team that is freeing these lands and offering others the security of being able to walk in peace makes me proud and an example to my children," says Tatiana Patiño, happily.

Team work

In Colombia, humanitarian demining operations are supported by constant exchanges with communities. As well as recruiting deminers from among the villagers, HI works with community liaison officers such as Mery Ríos and Janeth Parra, two leaders who are recognized and appreciated by their communities. Working alongside HI, they ensure that local people are consulted and included in all stages of the demining process, facilitating the work of the deminers. Thanks to these liaison officers, the communities can contribute to the decision-making process, share their knowledge of the terrain and their priorities, and stay informed of the project's progress.

It was through Mery and Janeth that, in 2022, HI was contacted by one of the residents of Puerto Concordia, Jhon García. This farmer suspected the presence of an explosive device just behind his house. HI teams intervened and neutralized an improvised explosive device buried just over 100 ft from his house.

"Today, I feel good. I've started to farm new land and grow cassava," Jhon tells us.

Since the start of HI's demining operations in Puerto Concordia in 2022, HI teams have made over 11,000 ft² of land safe. In the process, they have discovered and destroyed six explosive devices. In total, the teams have released 98,522 ft² of land back to the region's inhabitants.

The demining project in Meta, Colombia, is funded by the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA). In Colombia, HI is carrying out demining operations in the departments of Antioquia, Chocó, Tolima, Meta and Cauca.