Colombia

Colombia

Global Humanitarian Network Partner:
Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana (PAC)

colombia_pac_logo

Wings of Hope partners with the Colombian Civil Air Patrol (Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana – PAC), a private, nonprofit organization with over 50 years of experience in medical, surgical, humanitarian and emergency medical care brigades for people that live in extreme conditions of poverty, social or geographical exclusion, or that have been victims of any kind of catastrophe.

They are a group of private pilots and health professionals that volunteer to carry out medical brigades with absolute neutrality, impartiality and without discrimination in terms of nationality, race, sex, age, religion, language, social condition or political opinion.

Each year, the organization makes an average of two monthly brigades of different types in Colombia (medical, surgical, pediatric and nutritional); they serve an average of 700 people per brigade, performing 1,200 consultations of specialized medicine and/or 110 surgical procedures.

The Republic of Colombia

colombia_map

Capital: Bogotá

Currency: Colombian Peso

Language: Spanish

Landmarks:La Ciudad Perdida

Geography:

Colombia is situated in the northwest corner of South America. It shares borders with Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Peru to the south, Ecuador to the southwest, and Panama to the northwest. To the northwest, Colombia has coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Caribbean coast stretches along the northern part of the country, while the Pacific coast lies to the west. These coastal areas, along with the diverse landscapes, contribute to Colombia’s rich biodiversity and varied climate zones.

Colombia is nicknamed the “gateway to South America” because it sits in the northwestern part of the continent where South America connects with Central and North America. It is the fifth largest country in Latin America and home to the world’s second largest population of Spanish-speaking people.

Colombia’s roots can be traced back to pre-Columbian times, when indigenous tribes such as the Muisca, the Tairona and the Quimbaya inhabited the region for thousands of years. The arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century led to the destruction of many indigenous cultures, along with forced labor of the native population. Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819 and became a republic, but the 19th century was marked by political turmoil and economic instability. The 20th century brought a period of relative stability but was also marred by social and political conflict, including a violent period known as “La Violencia.” In recent years, Colombia has been plagued by violence and drug-related crime, fueled by the illegal drug trade, which remains a major source of income for many people in Colombia. Despite efforts by the government to combat drug trafficking and improve security, the country continues to face challenges such as poverty and inequality. With the turn of the century, Colombia began to write a brief history very different from the one before. Once convulsed by the violence from drug trafficking, guerrillas and the 1999 economic crisis, which generated fear and enormous insecurity, today Colombia is recognized as a country of artists, athletes, writers, culture, gastronomy, music and tourism. The Olympic medal count rose, footballers were signed by big clubs, and the country’s restaurants and chefs, as well as the music of Carlos Vives, Shakira and J Balvin, travelled around the world.

Colombia’s roots can be traced back to pre-Columbian times, when indigenous tribes such as the Muisca, the Tairona and the Quimbaya inhabited the region for thousands of years. The arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century led to the destruction of many indigenous cultures, along with forced labor of the native population. Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819 and became a republic, but the 19th century was marked by political turmoil and economic instability. The 20th century brought a period of relative stability but was also marred by social and political conflict, including a violent period known as “La Violencia.” In recent years, Colombia has been plagued by violence and drug-related crime, fueled by the illegal drug trade, which remains a major source of income for many people in Colombia. Despite efforts by the government to combat drug trafficking and improve security, the country continues to face challenges such as poverty and inequality.

Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana: A Lifeline in the Sky for Those in Need

colombia_clinic

Join Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana in its mission to provide medical care to remote regions of Colombia. The nonprofit organization was founded by private pilots over 56 years ago and provides medical, surgical, humanitarian and emergency medical care to Colombian towns that are inaccessible by road. Recently, they have expanded to provide care to Venezuelan migrants and refugees. With their mobile hospital and specialized equipment, they transform hospitals with limited resources and schools into fully functional medical facilities.