Ambassador Randall Tobias, Director of US Foreign Assistance and
USAID Administrator, the US Ambassador in Ecuador, Linda Jewell,
and members of the newly elected Ecuadorian government, will join
IOM staff in a field visit to IOM-implemented projects in the
community of General Farfán, on the Colombian border on 26
February.

The delegation will visit three major infrastructure projects
– the potable water and sanitation system, street paving and
the retaining wall-dock on the San Miguel River – carried out
by IOM as part of its Northern Border Development Programme.

The three projects have contributed to the development and
stability of the community of some 1,200 residents, and are also
benefiting Colombians who have crossed into Ecuador.

To carry out these projects, IOM works with local governments
and communities which provide support in project design, manual
labour in the form of community work parties, transportation and in
the provision of materials.

"Since the potable water system was finished in General
Farfán in 2002, the percentage of water-borne diseases has
decreased dramatically," said Fernando Sacoto, of the Ecuadorian
Foundation for Health and Development, FESALUD. "As an example of
the success of this project, in 2002 the number of water-borne
diseases stood at 219.9 cases per 1,000 inhabitants.  And in
2005 the number had dropped to 17.5."

The province of Sucumbíos and especially the community of
General Farfán, located in north-eastern Ecuador, are
considered among the most vulnerable areas of the country due to
the on-going conflict in neighbouring Colombia. Sucumbíos
shares an extensive and porous border with the Colombian department
of Putumayo which is heavily affected by irregular armed
groups.

The IOM programme aims to strengthen the infrastructure of
border communities in Ecuador's northern region which bear the
burden of providing a safe haven for Colombians fleeing the
violence.

Since 2001, the IOM programme funded by USAID has completed 104
potable water systems, 34 sewage systems, 60 bridges, 112
kilometres of road and nine irrigation systems that are benefiting
more than 370,000 people. 

For further information please contact:

María Isabel Moncayo

IOM Quito

Tel: (593) 2-22-53-948/49

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