Northwestern region limits with Panama and the Caribbean ASSU at the north, limits with ASSU Western at the south, limits with the Pacific Ocean at the west, and limits with ASSU Eastern and ASSU Bogotá at the East.
The Region has geographical diversity and all thermal floors, tourist cities such as Medellin, Manizales, and Pereira; large mountain ranges such as Coffee axis and Antioquia; humid jungles in Chocó; and rural areas like Bajo Cauca, as well as the beautiful beaches in Uraba region. Although the region is predominantly mountains, its ecosystem variety goes from mangrove swamps in the lowlands to perpetual snow in the Ruiz Mountain.
Varied security dynamics accompany such diversity. It encompasses threats to UNSMS personnel, assets, and missions to be carried out by the UNSMS system, among which are theft, extortion, crossfire, IED, roadblocks, traffic accidents, flooding, and landslides.
Armed conflict is associated with urban violence dynamics, land property, drug trafficking route disputes, and smuggling in rural zones.
UN Missions on the field must be planned to be developed between 06:00 and 18:00, equivalent to daylight. Maintaining a low profile and using UN visibility items is also recommended. For more information on any specific zone or place, don't hesitate to contact UNDSS Northwestern region.
In the Choco area, tropical diseases are common, especially Dengue, Chikunguña, and Zika. There is an active Curfew for international staff: Sunday through Thursday between 22:00 to 06:00 and Fridays to Saturday between 23:00 to 06:00.
Weather is predominantly mild and characterized by having two stations throughout the year: dry and rainy. Each town has its differences in temperature, vegetation, and culture.
The economy is based on agriculture, cattle raising, fishing, mining, industry, and tourism. Medellin is the second-largest city in Colombia, and its support to the National economy ratifies it. At the national level, the "paisa culture" (as people from Antioquia are known) is recognized as a hard-working population with various strengths. The illegal economy is moved by drug trafficking, illegal mining in rural areas, and micro-trafficking and extortion in urban areas.
In Chocó, there's varied gastronomy. Due to sanitary conditions, it is recommended to be very careful with the consumption of food and drinks on the streets.