Cali Demobilized Paramilitaries find an alternative life in wood

Bogota, D.C., May 10, 2010

By manufacturing wood pellets, a group of 18 Cali demobilized paramilitaries found a sustainable living alternative for them and their families. Thanks to the support provided by the United States through its Agency for International Development (USAID), the Mundo Maderas factory opened on May 11. The factory will manufacture export-type wooden pellets. Colombia brewer Bavaria will be its first client, and later on this product will be sold to other companies around the country. The ceremony was held on Calle 13 No. 20B-40, Cencar, Yumbo, Valle Department.

Since 2006, USAID supports the process of reintegration into society of former combatants defecting from armed groups, as part of the Reintegration and Community Support Program headed by the International Organization for Migrations (IOM), and also supported by private organizations like Fundación Carvajal. In the Valle del Cauca Department, around 2,690 demobilized men and women joined the social reintegration process led by the Colombian Government.

The aim of the project was to finance, support and accompany the group of beneficiaries during the training, setup and putting into motion this wood pellet factory. The cost of the project was close to COP$ 273 billion, allotted as follows: USAID bid COP$ 62 billion; the Bavaria Foundation bid COP$ 193 billion and the Fundación Carvajal provided COP$ 17.5 billion.