In order for the data to be most effective in meeting the concerns of the displaced, it should be disaggregated by age, gender and ethnicity (persons of African ancestry and the indigenous) so that the concerns of adolescents, women heads of household, the elderly and the disabled are taken into account. Although not discussed at the seminar, it is my view that statistics on Afro-Colombians would be significantly enhanced if authorities and NGOs collecting data on the displaced consulted with rural community and IDP leaders. In addition, data collectors should engage in dialogue about discrepancies that exist among the various information sources.

At the regional seminar, participants pointed out that attention needs to be given to the different categories of IDPs. These categories include persons displaced due to armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, natural disasters and development projects. With regard to Colombia, attention should be paid to these different categories, as well as those displaced by fumigation, which are sometimes not recognized. Also, persons responsible for collecting data on IDPs must do so in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of the displaced. They need to be sensitive to the situation of IDPs who may fear exposing themselves due to security concerns or fear that revealing their status will result in stigmatization and discrimination. Others may be reluctant to admit they are IDPs because they lack the necessary documents to prove their identity.

In addition to collecting data on the various categories of IDPs, statistics should reflect the various forms and phases of internal displacement. In Colombia, there exist various forms of displacement including individual, small scale known as "gota a gota" and massive displacements. There also exists rural to rural, rural to urban and intra-urban forms of displacement. Each of these forms of displacement requires different responses. Statistics on these different forms of displacement are essential to ensuring that individual IDPs are not overlooked and that their specific needs are met.

Often, statistics on IDPs focus on the "emergency" phase of displacement, when persons are in critical need of protection and assistance. Although this phase requires immediate collection of data to ensure a rapid response by authorities with the support of the international community and national actors, it should not be viewed as the only phase in which IDPs require protection and assistance. The data collectors must also take into account that in Colombia persons in the initial phase of displacement reside in the same areas as long term IDPs, IDPs who have experienced multiple displacements, and poor non-IDPs. In order to avoid tensions and conflict among receiving communities, the data must reflect the comprehensive reality of the IDP experience so that assistance programs can take into account the needs of mixed IDP and non-IDP populations.

Also necessary is accurate data on the conditions faced by IDPs who have returned to their places of origin or have resettled elsewhere in the country. Return and resettlement are often linked to the question of "when does displacement end?" When answering this question, analysts must take into account whether or not the person has fully recovered from displacement and is once again a secure and self-sustaining productive citizen in Colombian society. The Government should accordingly consider formally extending humanitarian assistance to IDPs beyond the three-month period specified by Law 387 to a period that reflects the needs and situation of most of Colombia's internally displaced.

A decrease in the number of newly displaced persons does not necessarily mean that the humanitarian and human rights conditions that have led to displacement have been resolved. In the case of Colombia, we have seen a drop in the overall number of displaced persons yet the phenomenon of blockaded or "confined" communities continues to increase. These are civilians who cannot flee because their freedom of movement and right to seek refuge in another part of the country as a form of protection is being impeded. It is important that this dimension of the humanitarian situation be considered when analyzing whether or not progress has been made in addressing the displacement crisis.

Today's seminar, organized by the Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), one of the world's leading NGOs on independent IDP data compilation, seeks to develop indicators that improve the current IDP data collection systems in Colombia so they better address the human rights and humanitarian concerns of IDPs. When formulating data systems for the displaced, I would encourage all of you to utilize the Guiding Principles as a barometer for developing effective information systems for the displaced. It is also important to remember that behind each number there exists a human being who is seeking to shed his or her IDP status and again become a productive citizen of Colombian society.