Second knowledge exchange: training on the prevention, response and reporting protocol

On 23 and 24 July 2021, at the ACIMVIP headquarters in Villagarzón (Putumayo), the second knowledge-exchange meeting was held under the project «Strengthening of the Wasikamas as a figure of territorial authority and environmental defence of the Ancestral Territory of the Inga Indigenous People of Villagarzón, Putumayo», with the support of the Norwegian Human Rights Fund. The session was devoted to training in the protocol for the prevention, response to and reporting of violations of the human, collective and territorial rights of the Inga People, for which hypothetical cases were worked through using the protocol's instruments. The attendance list records 51 people.

The meeting addressed the concept of authority for the Inga People and the responsibilities and functions of each position —jurisdictional, political-administrative, spiritual, territorial and environmental guidance, among others— and formulated the chain of command included in the protocol, which clearly sets out the role of the Wasikamas. According to the project report, more than thirty Authorities, Wasikamas and Chaskis were trained in the use of the protocol's instruments, in particular the urgent action form and the form for reporting missing persons.

The flash floods of 21 July, when the Indigenous Guard of Putumayo coordinated with Civil Defence the evacuation of riverside residents of Puerto Limón and nearby communities, affected the attendance of some communities and some guards at the activities scheduled between 21 and 24 July.