USAID/Colombia evaluation : performance evaluation of "landmine activities for victims of the conflict in Colombia"

The evaluation reports on systemic improvements in supporting physical rehabilitation and quality of life for landmine survivors, and their effective reintegration into society. The integrated approach sought to: (1) simultaneously improve emergency response to landmine accidents; (2) improve access to quality Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) services; (3) expand and improve rehabilitation in peripheral departments; and (4) support socio-economic inclusion of landmine victims. As it was a pilot program (it terminated in December 2013, without plans for extension) recommendations are aimed for outside audiences including the Government of Colombia (GOC) and actors in the land mines area. The evaluation was based on the following questions: (1) if and how were the activities implemented throughout the program complementary to national plans, programs and projects in health, socio-economic integration and public policy for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and landmine victims; (2) to what extent has the national capacity to provide orthotic and prosthetic services increased in relation to international standards; (3) to what extent was the implemented approach effective in increasing landmine survivors" access to quality rehabilitation and other health services in the selected municipalities; (4) to what extent have landmine survivors and their families increased their alternatives for socio-economic inclusion in the selected municipalities; (5) to what extent have community leaders in the selected municipalities increased their capacity to respond to emergencies caused by landmines; and (6) will the program"s work be sustained in terms of citizens" access to quality prosthetic and orthotic services, through government commitment to policies and standards and market participation? The program was successful in establishing sustainable capacities in the areas where it intervened, in complementarity with public policies and institutions. There appears to be a robust legacy in its components. Examples include the impact on the quality of services provided by the program-trained P&O technicians with their updated labs, now in compliance with national regulation. The legacy also includes the rehabilitation centers set up in Narino and Caqueta, which filled a gap in the provision of rehabilitation services in these departments and which were still operational two years after the program ended. Specific evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are provided with detailed analysis for each evaluation question. (Excerpt, modified)