In dire need of protection of life: The dynamics between health and security during the Covid19 pandemic in conflict-affected territories in Colombia
Empirical Social Research
Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology
Ecology of Land Use
Final Report Abstract
Our research project provided three key results based on case studies in four different rural areas in Colombia: Firstly, we identified the multidimensional effects of the Colombian government's policies in response to the pandemic and how their impact was conditioned by cultural and economic factors and the historicity of the armed conflict in rural areas. Secondly, community strategies were, for the most part, key for rural communities to contain the health risks of the pandemic, notably the spread of the virus through entry controls into the territories, or the use of traditional medicine to diminish the effects of the disease for those infected. Third, given the historical presence of armed groups in the places analyzed and its differential effect (e.g. increase in territorial control and violent incidences), local communities adapted national and governmental policy guidelines to local requirements and were thus effective both in reinforcing institutional measures and in proposing their own measures as forms of adaptation and local transcription of the generalized rules. We found found – more or less – surprising effects of the pandemic that we did not expect based on literature and previous crises: Firstly, the pandemic was not only perceived by many communities as one of he many challenges of state neglect but also positively as an opportunity to strengthen social cohesion at local level (e.g. revival of local markets). Secondly, health concerns have proven to be of of less relevance than the direct and indirect implications of measurements to contain the spread of the virus, such as quarantines or school closures. Thirdly, the increase in territorial control by armed groups during the strong quarantine measures in the first year did not result in increased legitimacy of these groups. Concrete assistance by state organizations (e.g. vaccination campaigns) had positive effects on the perception of the state in general, e.g. also the army. Richter, Solveig; Salcedo, Leonardo; Barrios Sabogal, Laura Camila; Ramos Barón, Pablo (2022): Pandemia, inseguridad y pobreza: lecciones desde las comunidades (Pandemic, insecurity and poverty: lessons from communities), El Espectador, 16.07.2022: https://www.elespectador.com/colombia-20/analistas/pandemia-inseguridad-y-pobreza-lecciones-desde-las-comunidades/
Publications
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Efectos de la pandemia y estrategias comunitarias: salud, pobreza y seguridad (Pandemic effects and community strategies: health, poverty, and security)
Richter, Solveig; Salcedo, Leonardo
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The Protection of Life between Pandemic and Security
La Lupa, CAPAZ Institute
