IOM and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), are joining forces to
develop new cooperation strategies to assist persons in search of
international protection, refugees and other vulnerable population
present in Ecuador's northern border.

The new agreements include improving the implementation and
monitoring of public policies; capacity building for the country's
institutions, including the National Refugee Bureau in charge of
managing the asylum system; developing contingency plans to face
massive flows of persons into the area; and implementing social and
infrastructure projects in host communities.

Ecuador's northern border is considered the most vulnerable
region in the country because of the number of Colombians seeking
refuge from armed conflict in their country. Ecuador hosts the
largest number of Colombian refugees; UNHCR figures indicate 20,682
persons have obtained refugee status and an estimated 37,000 have
applied for asylum. In addition, UNHCR estimates that there are
some 130,000 Colombians in Ecuador in need of international
protection.

"The successful implementation of previous projects led the two
organizations to join forces in order to provide support to
national and local authorities which will allow for the
optimization of resources and provide major benefits for the
population," explains Alejandro Guidi, IOM Chief of Mission in
Ecuador.

"The successful integration of Colombians into local communities
and improving living conditions in these communities are top
priorities for IOM and UNHCR; we consider them key to the stability
and development of the northern border region," adds Guidi.

IOM Ecuador has been carrying out projects in the northern
border region since 2001 with funding from the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of
State - Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and in
coordination with the Government of Ecuador. Some 460,000 persons
have benefitted from more than 300 infrastructure projects which
are providing these poor communities with basic services, such as
potable water, sanitation systems, and roads to improve
transportation.

For more information, please contact:

Ana Guzman

IOM Ecuador

Tel: + (593-2) 225-3948

E-mail: "mailto:aguzman@iom.int">aguzman@iom.int