The Colombian Navy, in coordination with organizations of the departmental governments in the Colombian Pacific, foundations and private institutions, carried out the campaign Sailing to the Heart of the Pacific Rio Naya, which benefited 1,975 people of the communities of Agua Manza, El Trueno, La Primavera, Punta Ají, Puerto Merizalde and San Pedro de Naya, of the rural area of the Special District of Buenaventura, department of Valle del Cauca.
On the Heavy River Support Patrol Boat CTCIM Jorge Moreno Salazar embarked the team of volunteers, health professionals and military who, after sailing 69 nautical miles down the Naya River, arrived at Puerto Merizalde, in a rural area of the Special District of Buenaventura, where for two days provided care to these communities, in general medicine, dentistry, optometry, psychology, distribution of medicines, ophthalmological frames and insertion of subdermal planning implants.
In the same way, humanitarian aid consisting of clothing, toys, oral health kits, grooming kits were distributed, and recreational activities were carried out for the attending personnel, who thanked the State services brought to the communities settled on the banks of the Naya Riverñ. This activity was possible thanks to the coordination of the Pacific Naval Force, the Navy Infantry Brigade No.2, the Professional Naval Reserve Officers, the Valle del Cauca Governorate, the Institute for the Blind and Deaf, the Angeles por Colombia Foundation, the Alianza Solidaria Foundation, the LIAM, the organization El Minuto de Dios Corporation and media, who joined efforts to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of this region of the Pacific.
During the closing ceremony held at the pier of the Special District of Buenaventura, the Commander of the Pacific Naval Force, Rear Admiral Rafael Aranguren, said: "I thank the institutions that work for the activity, because without their help, their collaboration, either elements, personnel or accompaniment, this activity would not have been possible (...) We do nothing if we do not return, we do nothing if you do not trust, we do nothing if we do not build so much that needs to be done.", the challenge is great and we are not going to rest on this important task of bringing comprehensive action to the communities.”
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
