GENEVA, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) appealed on Tuesday to donor governments for $14.4 million for its work in Colombia, where more than 170,000 people were forced to flee their homes due to violence last year.

The South American country has some 3 million internal refugees, one of the world's highest totals, and over 40,000 people have died since 1990 as a result of fighting between rebels, government forces and drug gangs.

"In Colombia, human rights violations, including extra-judicial killings and disappearances, are common. Illegal armed groups recruit children -- often forcibly -- in many areas of the country," said UNHCR Director for the Americas Philippe Lavanchy.

The 2007 appeal, which is up from the $12.8 million sought in 2006, will cover UNHCR work in providing assistance and protection to the internally displaced.

AlertNet news is provided by

Delicio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit                                                                                  Permalink