UNICEF welcomes today’s official signing of a final accord between the Government of Colombia and FARC-EP, the country’s largest armed opposition group, to end Colombia’s five-decade war and build sustainable and long-lasting peace. 
 
“For the thousands of children affected by the conflict in Colombia, the signing of this agreement couldn’t have come soon enough,” said Roberto de Bernardi, UNICEF Representative in Colombia, speaking from the signing ceremony in Cartagena. “Today peace prevails – at long last.”  
 
National data show that out of more than 8 million people in Colombia who are registered as victims of the conflict, around 2.5 million – or 1 in 3 – are children. Some 2.3 million children have been displaced and 8,000 disappeared since data collection started in 1985.
 
UNICEF will continue to support national efforts to assist children affected by the conflict, and looks forward to the release of all boys and girls from the ranks of the FARC-EP.

Source: UNICEF