IOM and the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday signed a
long-term cooperation agreement, through the year 2010, to carry
out projects along Ecuador's northern border region, with a focus
on the Federation of Awa Indigenous Communities of Ecuador (FECAE).

The AWA, or "man", are an indigenous Ecuadorian community that
live isolated from the modern world and until now remain relatively
unknown. They live in the Ecuadorian highlands and in the northern
border coastal area with Colombia. Historically, they have defended
their identity and today struggle to protect their territory from
lumber companies. Some of the AWA came from Colombia, where some
14,000 are still living. In 1985 the government of Ecuador granted
citizenship to the AWA.

WFP will use funding from agreements with the private sector,
such as Gatorade, and FECAE, to work with IOM on infrastructure
projects along the northern border. For its part, IOM will provide
technical support for the follow-up of the projects and for an
information database to assist in the implementation of the
projects. WFP will provide technical and operational experience and
will manage the financial resources.

The first projects to get underway under the IOM-WFP agreement
are:

• Rehabilitation of three schools in San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas
  Province
• Health education materials for the health centre in Lita,
  Imbabura Province
• Family and Community Health System: the rehabilitation of three
  health posts and the construction of 10 additional posts.

Since 2001 IOM has been carrying out social and productive
infrastructure projects in communities along the northern border
with funds from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and in coordination with Ecuadorian government
through its Northern Development Unit (UDENOR). The aim of this IOM
programme is to improve the health of residents and Colombians who
have crossed into Ecuador and to promote the development of the
communities.

There are 13,663 Colombian refugees and 44,303 who have applied
for asylum in Ecuador. Most of them live in extremely vulnerable
conditions. Some 46 per cent are in the northern border region,
where IOM programmes are strengthening the communities.

So far, some 218 infrastructure projects benefiting more than
371,342 persons have been built providing basic services, such as
potable water, sanitation systems, and roads to improve
transportation.

For more information contact:

Ana Guzman

IOM Ecuador

Tel: (593-2)-225-3948

E-mail: "mailto:aguzman@oim.org.ec">aguzman@oim.org.ec