Supporting Colombian Communities re Harmful Airport Expansion Financed by the Inter-American Development Bank

Last week, three Accountability Counsel team members traveled to Colombia to support our local partners, community-based organization Comunidades Unidas, during an investigation into their case.  The investigation is being carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank’s complaint office (known as MICI) to review claims that a project to expand the El Dorado Airport in Bogotá is increasing airplane-related noise pollution, which has been linked to high rates of hearing loss in local children.  Residents discussed these and other quality of life impacts on the local community with MICI investigators.  The complaint office is due to release a report with findings over the summer.  Communities hope this process can shed light on the urgent need for appropriate noise mitigation to prevent harm from the Airport’s expansion. For more information on our work in Colombia, see our case page.