title: Internal displacement in Colombia: Fifteen distinguishing features.
abstract: This commentary aims to delineate the distinguishing features of conflict-induced internal displacement in the nation of Colombia, South America. Even as Colombia is currently implementing a spectrum of legal, social, economic, and health programs for "victims of armed conflict," with particular focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs), the dynamics of forced migration on a mass scale within this country are little known beyond national borders.   The authors of this commentary are embarking on a global mental health research program in Bogota, Colombia to define best practices for reaching the displaced population and implementing sustainable, evidence-based screening and intervention for common mental disorders. Presenting the defining characteristics of internal displacement in Colombia provides the context for our work and, more importantly, conveys the compelling and complex nature of this humanitarian crisis. We attempt to demonstrate Colombia's unique position within the global patterning of internal displacement.
authors.affiliation: Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center); University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami FL USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shultz
authors.affiliation: Program in Public Health; Schools of Medicine and Government; Universidad de Los Andes; Bogota, Colombia.
authors.forename: Ángela Milena Gómez
authors.initials: ÁM
authors.lastname: Ceballos
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Miami FL USA.
authors.forename: Zelde
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Espinel
authors.affiliation: Program in Public Health; Schools of Medicine and Government; Universidad de Los Andes; Bogota, Colombia.
authors.forename: Sofia Rios
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oliveros
authors.affiliation: Program in Public Health; Schools of Medicine and Government; Universidad de Los Andes; Bogota, Colombia.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Program in Public Health; Schools of Medicine and Government; Universidad de Los Andes; Bogota, Colombia.
authors.forename: Luis Jorge Hernandez
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Florez
keywords: complex emergency; forced displacement; forced migration; humanitarian crisis; internal displacement; internally displaced persons; victims of armed conflict