U.N. fears humanitarian crisis in Colombia

UNITED NATIONS, July 1 (UPI) -- A humanitarian crisis is building in southern Colombia due to continued fighting between government and rebel forces, says the U.N. refugee agency.

The situation is particularly dire in Narino Province, where more than 1,200 people belonging to the indigenous Aw people have fled their homes near the Ecuadorian border due to fighting between government and rebel forces, said a spokesman for the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees at its headquarters in Geneva.

"We fear that hundreds more may be currently displaced in the area or find themselves trapped in their villages by the armed groups, unable to find enough food and living under extremely dangerous security conditions," Ron Redmond told reporters.

The agency has issued many warnings recently about the humanitarian impact of the decades-old conflict in Colombia. Redmond called again for respect for the rights of the civilian population and for protection of indigenous populations.