In commemoration of the 38 years of the tragedy of Armero, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Knowledge Juan David Correa apologized – on behalf of the National Government – to the surviving victims and announced measures for recovery , recognizing and preserving its historical memory. territory, such as, for example, the delivery of Stations of Memory.
“This government offers forgiveness to the victims of Armero who died and survived because the victims are that, they are stories that are divided in half, some remain and others continue to live, and that act is true and from heart,” he said. Belt.
Correa also inaugurated the first of 39 stations that will operate in the area. These areas will be strategically distributed throughout the territory affected by the landslide and will serve as commemorative spaces dedicated to the victims. The stations are designed to provide visitors with an informational and educational experience of the territory.
The ceremony was also attended by House Representative Martha Alfonso, who dedicated years of fighting in Congress for the recognition and healing of Armero’s victims. Alfonso cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the station with Francisco González, director of the Armando Armero Foundation.
Representative Alfonso expressed the importance of remembering the tragedy and emphasized the continuation of the Armerites in their search for justice and compensation. “Those who lived and were touched by this tragedy, the people of Tolima who saw it closely, understand why people after 38 years continue to insist on justice and recovery,” he added.
Alfonso promoted the fight of civil society organizations, such as Fundación Armando Armero, Armero Vive and Fede Armero, to keep alive the memory of the territory. The representative also spoke about Law 1632 of 2013 and added that its progress is limited. He invited Minister Correa to work on the implementation of this law and emphasized the importance of historical memory to build the region and the country.
For his part, during the inauguration of the station, Correa announced the creation of an inter-institutional table and compliance with the honor law, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the victims of Armero and what was expressed by Conpes signed in 2015 during the government of Juan Manuel Santos. The minister also invited the community to actively participate in this process and said that the necessary change will depend on collaboration and social cohesion.
Steps to identify victims
During his speech and as part of the commitments to the victims, Minister Correa committed to the construction of the Garden of Life National Thematic Park, which represents a space dedicated to reflection and recognition of the value of life.
It will also develop a tourism strategy in the communities of Honda, Mariquita, Ambalema and Armero, and support will be provided to street vendors through production and marketing processes.
In the field of historical memory preservation, an archival research unit will be established. This body will be in charge of compiling official information available in public archives, as well as signage at the site of the ruins. An inventory of objects and places of memory will be formed, and a work process will be carried out with the community, announced on permanent tables.
In support of education, the Omaira Sánchez scholarship will be expanded and areas of technical education will be managed with the Sena. Awareness campaigns will be carried out, such as the popular edition of the book ‘Armero 30 years ago’ and promotion campaign through various media.
The fate of more than 500 boys and girls who were victims of the emergency will also be investigated and a protocol will be developed for the rescue, ownership and delivery of children in natural disasters. To prepare this protocol, we will cooperate with the ICBF, the Victims Unit and the Prosecutor’s Office.
It is expected to achieve these specific goals by the end of the two years and nine months of Gustavo Petro’s government.
