Sebastián León-Giraldo

The «Salud para la Paz» project, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), was a significant initiative aimed at improving health outcomes and contributing to peacebuilding efforts in Colombia. This project was part of a broader effort involving various United Nations agencies, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with financial support from the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Post-Conflict.

Project Goals and Activities

The main objectives of the «Salud para la Paz» project included:

• Strengthening Local Health Capacities: Enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals and community leaders in 25 municipalities, focusing on primary health care, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and the prevention of psychoactive substance use.
• Improving Health Access: Providing comprehensive health services to more than 60,000 individuals, including ex-combatants in the Territorial Training and Reincorporation Spaces (ETCR) and nearby communities.
• Training and Capacity Building: Training over 3,000 health professionals and community leaders on various health topics, including prevalent childhood diseases, mental health, and reproductive health.
• Providing Essential Supplies: Distributing medical supplies to local hospitals to support the operation of Community Health Units and improve the overall health infrastructure.

My Role

I was responsible for conducting the final evaluation based on the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) criteria defined by the United Nations. My evaluation focused on assessing the project’s effectiveness, impact, and sustainability, ensuring that the outcomes met the established goals and provided valuable insights for future initiatives.