Valle del Cauca. The National Navy through the Pacific Naval Force held a Development Support Day that benefited 550 people in the Afro-descendant community La Plata, an hour and a half by boat from Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca, since this is the only way to access to this area.
Several months of preparation were necessary to materialize successfully this Development Support Day, which sought to bring medical services, wellbeing and development to these communities in the Pacific Coast. The hamlet La Plata was the point where the effort was concentrated to receive the inhabitants of the villages of Miramar, Mangaña and La Sierpe.
Vice Admiral Orlando Romero, Commander of the Pacific Naval Force, made the official opening of the Development Support activities Day extolling the service vocation of military personnel and the union with this community, neighbor of the Naval Base ARC "Málaga".
This activity, which had the support and participation of Professional Officers of the Naval Reserve of Colombia, the Naval Social Action and 15 volunteer health professionals from different institutions and companies such as: Fundación Ángeles por Colombia, Secretary of Health of Buenaventura , Colombian Institute of Family Wellbeing - ICBF, Port Society Foundation, Colgate Palmolive, Abodt Laboratories, Farmaser, Lafrancoly Colombian, the radio station Marina Stereo - Bahia Malaga and the Humana Care Colombia Company contributed with medicines, clothing and clinical elements, donated by partners and doctors who joined their efforts and capabilities for the consolidation of peace in the Pacific coast community.
During the day, inhabitants benefitted with 225 consultations in medical care, 150 in pediatrics, 82 in dermatology, 70 in dentistry; 156 dental kits and 5,112 units of Bienestarina (dietary supplement) were distributed and vectors inspections were carried out on 67 homes and two stores that provide food to the population.
During the event, our infantry men conducted recreational activities for the children and youth and adults participated in talks on sexual prevention and forced recruitment.
The community leader Santiago Valencia, expressed his gratitude and said he will remain committed to the joint work carried out by the National Navy, in addition to promoting the infrastructure projects currently underway, such as the construction of the health center and the construction of a rainwater collector that will feed the inhabitants of the area, strengthening the 'Good Neighbor Plan' program led by the Naval Base, consolidating relations and trust between the Afro-descendant population of the Pacific coast and the military.
Source: Pacific Naval Force - National Navy.
