Counting the cost of Colombia's conflict

It’s an armed conflict that has caused the world’s largest displacement crisis with nearly 5 million people forced to flee their homes since 1985. Of these people, 97 percent live below the poverty line. Over 40 years of internal armed conflict in Colombia have caused mass suffering for its people but despite the scale of the conflict the nation’s troubles have been largely overlooked by the world’s media.

The Catholic Church has long been actively involved in efforts to hold peace negotiations with all parties to the Colombian conflict and provides assistance to victims of the violence. It also campaigns for the restitution of land seized from peasants by the armed groups. At the forefront of these efforts is Caritas Colombia whose director is Monsignor Hector Henao. He spoke to Susy Hodges during a recent visit to the UK about land restitution and other issues related to the legacy of Colombia's long-running armed conflict.

He says they now "have a big opportunity" to help poor peasants apply for the restitution of their land following a recent law passed by the Bogota government on this issue. In addition to land restitution, Monsignor Henao talks of the abuses and enviromental devastation caused by foreign mining companies operating in Colombia. : He says: "in many cases they (the mining companies) destroy the water sources" or leave them very badly polluted.

Asked about the chances of peace to end Colombia's decades-old internal conflict, Monsignor Henao says he's "hopeful" now because of various iniatives to promote peace and reconciliation, both in the rural areas and at the government and parliamentary level. As for the Church, "our message is in favour of peace, justice and reconciliation", he says.

Listen to the full interview by Susy Hodges with Monsignor Henao: