NEWS MORE IOM ECUADOR. Eric Schwartz visits Projects Implemented by IOM Ecuador

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1 IM IM IM IM ECUADR NEWS MRE Eric Schwartz visits Projects Implemented by IM Ecuador n February 27, 2010, Eric Schwartz, Assistant Secretary of State of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, Migration, visited Ecuador had several interviews with national, provincial, municipal authorities. Additionally, he met with IM, UNHCR, WFP. The main objective of his visit was to learn more about the situation of Colombian refugees to underst living conditions on the northern border. He visited several refugee assistance projects in Sucumbíos Province, including three infrastructure projects implemented by IM Ecuador at the riente Ecuatoriano school. Throughout the visit, authorities had the opportunity to explain the situation of persons seeking international protection, security issues, Ecuadorian government policies regarding shelter, the need to continue providing support to both the local refugee population in Ecuador, primarily located throughout the northern border region. Colombians affected by violence in their country flee to Sucumbíos other provinces located along Ecuador s northern border, where basic infrastructure is limited, living conditions are precarious the local economic situation does not offer opportunities for their livelihoods. Since 2005, IM Ecuador, through the Emergency Assistance Program for Persons Seeking International Protection in northern Ecuador, financed by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, Migration, has assisted more than 3,000 persons. The program includes components to improve living conditions in this region, including the provision of food, living arrangements, health care, employment, protection, potable water, sanitation. The mayor of the county of Lago Agrio expressed special appreciation for the work accomplished by the IM in this region. In his visit, Mr. Schwartz highlighted the United States Government s solidarity with the government of Ecuador reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the most vulnerable groups in Ecuador. 1 IM Ecuador Newsletter, No.2, March 2011

2 IM IM IM IM ECUADR NEWS MRE IM the Ministry of Justice organize the First National Human Rights Human Trafficking Litigation Contest in Ecuador n March 15th - 1th, IM the Ministry of Justice held the First National Human Rights Human Trafficking Litigation Contest in Ecuador, an effort to raise awareness of law students attending public universities about human trafficking. Forty students participated in the event. The winners, two students from the Technical University of Machala, will represent Ecuador in the annual Human Rights Litigation Contest at the American University in Washington, DC. Begging sexual exploitation are the most common forms of human trafficking in Ecuador. Trafficking for sexual exploitation primarily involves women adolescents between the ages of 1 17; whereas trafficking for begging primarily affects children between the ages of 10. Since 2005, with funding from USAID, IM - in coordination with the Ecuadorian Government - has implemented a program to combat human trafficking in Ecuador. Ban Ki Moon visits Ecuador IM participated in the UN Secretary-General s visit to Ecuador. n February 14th, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, visited Ecuador following an invitation extended by Ecuador s President, Rafael Correa, during the UN Climate Change Summit, held in December 2010 in Copenhagen, Denmark. During the meeting with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño, Mr. Ban Ki Moon was accompanied by representatives of IM, UNHCR, WFP, ECLAC. The meeting covered different challenges along the northern border linked climate change migartion issues with the Yasuní ITT Initiative (an environmental project to protect a large area of the Amazon Region, implemented by the Ecuadorian Government with UN support, with significant support from the international community). The Secretary-General also referenced the importance of respect for diversity dialogue The visit also included a meeting with the United Nations country team a private meeting with the President Vice-President of Ecuador. Good News: Expansion Promotion of IM Its Services Since February 2011, all public calls for infrastructure construction project proposals can be found on our Website:. Beginning in April, IM Ecuador will begin an intensive campaign to promote the Discount Travel Program. From January to March, IM Ecuador held three training sessions in Quito s largest universities one for 80 members of the Armed Forces, the Blue Helmets. 2 IM Ecuador Newsletter, No.2, March 2011

3 IM IM IM IM ECUADR NEWS MRE Inauguration of the Regional Potable Water System in García Moreno, in the Province of Carchi n January 20th, the United States Government, through its Embassy USAID, in coordination with Plan Ecuador, held the inauguration of the potable water treatment plant in the township of García Moreno, Bolívar canton, Carchi Province. The treatment plant provides potable water to the township to 11 communities in that area, benefiting approximately 2,200 persons. The project is implemented with USAID funds, with support from the Carchi Provincial Government, the beneficiaries. The inauguration was attended by U.S. Ambassador Heather Hodges, as well as representatives from Plan Ecuador, USAID, local authorities including the Governor of Carchi, the Prefect of Carchi, the Mayor of Bolívar, representatives from the local communities. This project was executed as part of the IM Integrated Municipal Development Program (PIDEM by its Spanish acronym), active since 2001, with funding from USAID. PIDEM supports development in the provinces located along the northern southern borders, by implementing infrastructure projects, including potable water sanitation systems, bridges, roads, irrigation systems the promotion of h washing with soap. To date, the more than 400 projects carried out have improved the lives of approximately 00,000 people. 3 IM Ecuador Newsletter, No.2, March 2011

4 IM IM IM IM IM ECUADR Noticias NEWS MRE José Rodríguez was the first person to benefit from PARTIR II (Voluntary Return Program from Italy). He returned to Colombia on September 15th, 2010, got in touch with IM Ecuador on ctober 11th. He his three children, ages 4, 10, 14, were assisted to reintegrate into his country of origin. I arrived in Italy at the end of At the beginning the language was a little difficult, but it is similar to Spanish so we learned it quickly. In the first few years I held all sorts of jobs: waiter, bartending, many others. In 2004, I was lucky to find a steady job as a custodian, which also provided living arrangements. Unfortunately, in 2009 I lost that job due to the world economic crisis, which resulted in the business closing. I tried to find another job, but it was impossible. So, after almost one year of sporadic work, earning barely enough to live, I decided to return to Ecuador. I had my first interview with IM on ctober 11th, 2010 from that moment they have provided me with ongoing assistance for reintegration. We have been in constant contact they have helped me draft a business plan, sales analysis, payment to providers. I now have my own poultry farm, which is the work I did before leaving for Italy. This business enables me to live well to support my family. My dream is to exp the business in order to be a direct chicken provider, without intermediaries, sell my products on larger markets. Life Stories Life Stories My name is Clara. I came from Colombia. I am 32 years old, the mother of three children. My story began in Colombia, my country, which I love very much hope to return to one day in the not too distant future. I am from the Putumayo region. In Colombia I lived in a place where armed conflicts are almost daily. In the year 2000, armed groups came the mass killings disappearances began. Many people were forced to leave, including my two small daughters me. We left Colombia came to Ecuador. After several interviews, I received refugee status. My life in Ecuador hasn t been easy. Despite having refugee status, it was very difficult to find a job, particularly with two small girls. However, with the help of various organizations, such IM others, that work with those most in need, we re moving forward. When IM informed me that I would be resettled in Sweden, I was very scared. I was happy, but at the same time, extremely scared. I wondered where it was, what we were going to do there, a million other things. I even began to consider staying in Ecuador; luckily I didn t, here I am. Now I live in Sweden, thanks to the resettlement program. After four years of living here, I think that I could not have had better luck. This country is very different from mine, but there are opportunities, there is peace tranquility. I am truly very happy living here. 4 IM Ecuador Newsletter, No.2, March 2011

5 IM IM IM IM ECUADR NEWS MRE IM Supports the Regularization Process of Peruvian Migrant Workers in Ecuador IM, IL, the Development Cooperation Labor Union Institute (ISCD by its Spanish acronym) a local civil society organization that works with migrant workers, the Foreign Ministry held four workshops in the cities of Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Ibarra to train Ecuadorian government employees civil society organizations in the regularization process for Peruvians, the rights of migrant workers, in order to improve services to migrants seeking regularization. During the past four years, IM has provided technical assistance to the Government of Ecuador on the regularization of Peruvians through an informational campaign, as well as technical assistance for the registration process. Additionally, IM participates as an active member of the Working Group on Labor Migration. Joint Youth, Employment Migration Program In the framework of the Youth, Employment Migration, Program, implemented by Unicef, IM, UNDP, UNFPA, IL, a series of forums were held in 12 counties throughout the provinces of Loja, Azuay, El ro. The following cantons participated: in the Province of Loja: Catamayo, Loja, Gonzanamá, Saraguro; in the Province of Azuay: Girón, Nabón, Santa Isabel Cuenca; in the Province of El ro: Machala, Pasaje, Santa Rosa, Zaruma. The goal of the forums was to create spaces for youth dialogue identify the main challenges faced by youth (ages 15 to 29) on issues related to employment, socioeconomic inclusion, youth migration. The program also aims identify support the process of implementing proposals presented by youth, which will be coordinated with the local provincial governments, as well as ministries, such as the Ministry of Economic Social Inclusion, the Ministry of Labor Relations the National Migration Secretariat (SENAMI). As a result, important work plans have been created with youth that stress the training needs in the areas of youth their labor rights, a better understing of migration the prevention of irregular migration.. 5 IM Ecuador Newsletter, No.2, March 2011