A new IOM initiative is increasing community involvement in
environmental issues, and helping to control and mitigate negative
environmental impacts, especially on potable water systems.

Working with local populations and migrants along Ecuador's
northern and southern borders, the focus is on developing
participatory processes; increasing responsiveness of the
population towards the management of the systems.

Since 2001, IOM has been working in the implementation of 160
potable water systems, 63 sanitation systems, 16 irrigation
systems, 86 bridges, and the improvement of 20 roads, which have
benefitted some 500,000 persons in the provinces along the northern
and southern border, which have high levels of migration, mainly
from Colombia and Peru.

"The deterioration of water sources such as rivers, streams,
lakes and groundwater has a direct impact on ecosystems and human
health.  If the populations in these areas are not assisted to
manage these systems, the result will have a negative impact on
their health, but it is also a major obstacle for development,"
says Rogelio Bernal, IOM Chief of Mission in Ecuador.

The main activities envisioned under the project were designed
based on studies carried out in each location that analyzed: the
state of forests, including deforestation and the need to reforest;
containment walls or fences; construction of firewalls to protect
adult and newly planted vegetation; current knowledge of
environmental issues; existing education programmes to ensure the
long-term sustainability of the water systems, as well as the
health and living condition of the inhabitants.

"Past experience has confirmed to IOM that community involvement
had led to increased responsiveness towards environmental issues
with very positive results.  And so the success of this
initiative depends on the commitment of the residents to change
negative practices and to manage their resources," adds Bernal.

As part of IOM's work in the border areas, and working with the
Ministry of Public Health, IOM engineers carry out periodic tests
to determine water quality.

To strength this quality control process, IOM also implements
training programmes on good environmental practices in agriculture,
sanitation, and alternatives fuel methods to avoid depletion of
natural resources.

For more information please contact:

Ana María Guzman

IOM Ecuador

Tel: + 00593-2-2444929/8/6

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