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Ecuador
>> Regional Overview >> Ecuador Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Ecuador
TITLE AND NUMBER: Ecuador Northern Border Development, 518-013
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $0 (DA), $0 (ESF)
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $20,000,000 (INC, $4,000,000 (ESF)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003Summary: The purpose of the Northern Border Development Program is to improve the quality of life of the communities living along Ecuador's northern border. This will enhance the prospects for Andean regional stability and minimize the negative impacts of Colombia's coca-economy and possible spillover effects from implementation of Plan Colombia. This two-year, $8 million program will develop activities in the areas of community-managed infrastructure (especially potable water supply and sanitation, road and bridge repair) and strengthen the capacity of responsible civil society organizations to promote economic development. A substantial portion of the community infrastructure projects will be aimed at the most at-risk populations (vulnerable to the spread of Colombia's coca economy) of poor indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorians living in the border area. The civil society strengthening activities will support local institutions so these may better respond to development problems and challenges of the region. The selection of specific communities to receive assistance will be made in close coordination with the Ecuador Country Team.
This is an especially challenging program because of the growing crisis associated with Plan Colombia. The crisis is evidenced by escalating narco-violence on both sides of the border, increasing crime, high profile kidnappings, oil pipeline bombings, displaced and jobless Colombians and Ecuadorians migrating into the northern border region (especially Sucumbios); and people fleeing from the growing violence and personal insecurity. Due to these conditions, a low profile USG presence is required. Consequently, and based on their worldwide experience under similar situations, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was selected to implement the program.
Key Results: Program progress will be measured by the number of persons living along the northern border accessing new or improved social services and/or community infrastructure. Milestones for assessing implementation success include: improved health conditions; roads and related infrastructure; a civil society that is better equipped to respond to local needs and the challenges of Plan Colombia; and the state of readiness of the program to assist displaced Colombians in the event of a large-scale migration into Ecuador. Because the program is in its third month of implementation, it is too early to accurately assess how well targets are being met. Key milestones expected to be reached in FY 2001 are: rehabilitation of 21 miles of the border road in Carchi; completion of five new bridges in Esmeraldas; five new pedestrian bridges for the Awa Indigenous Reserve situated on the border with Colombia; and five new and rehabilitated potable water systems. Also, the institutional capacity of those organizations that work on land tenure, as well as indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian groups (e.g. Cofan, Awa, Chachi) for promoting overall development will have been strengthened. Finally, drug abuse awareness and prevention programs will also be carried out to lessen this social problem in the three border provinces.
Performance and Prospects: Significant progress has been made toward implementing the activities planned in FY 2001-2002. In December 2000, the Mission executed a Cooperative Agreement with IOM to carry out the activities under the bilateral agreement. The two sets of activities IOM will implement focus on: 1) community development activities in the Provinces of Sucumbios, Carchi, and Esmeraldas; and 2) strengthening of the GOE's Northern Border Development Unit (UDENOR). By February 2000, IOM had recruited non-U.S. expatriate staff and established three small regional field offices, made preliminary contacts in the field with local counterparts, confirmed the viability of initial project designs, and established a fast-track start up plan to immediately begin construction of high profile water and road projects. Working closely with UDENOR to provide assistance to this newly created agency, IOM has procured the essential equipment for UDENOR staff. However, prospects for future success will depend on the security situation in the border provinces, and on the degree of GOE commitment and capability to reinforce its security presence there. Basic development activities are extremely difficult to carry out effectively in an environment of escalating narco-related violence, high-visibility kidnappings, and hundreds of local area residents fleeing their homes for fear of reprisals for collaboration with Ecuadorian security forces.
FY 2001 funds consist of $8,000,000 of INC. Of this amount, $3,000,000 will be used for community infrastructure (road repair, construction of bridges) for Carchi, Sucumbios, and Esmeraldas Provinces; $3,500,000 for the construction of social infrastructure including potable water systems; $600,000 for a land titling program in Sucumbios and to finance environmental assessments; and $900,000 for human rights and drug awareness activities. In the event large scale of migration occurs, assistance to displaced persons will be provided. These activities will mainly benefit indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian groups.
FY 2002 funds, consisting of $20,000,000 of INC and $4,000,000 of ESF, will be used to finance alternative development activities.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: The current program focus reflects the level of funding received under the Plan Colombia Supplemental. However USAID recognizes that, given the increasing concern for Ecuador's vulnerability on its northern border and its own internal instability, USG support for this effort may increase in the near future. In this context, USAID is also examining a broader strategic approach to Ecuador's role within the Andean Regional Initiative (ARI). This will permit flexibility in the field given the rapidly changing security situation, and the potential for a large influx of refugees or displaced Ecuadorians. IOM and USAID are collaborating closely with UDENOR to incorporate fast-track income earning activities that were not originally envisioned. The extent of this component aimed at creating "economically productive barriers" to the spread of the coca economy will depend on the amount of additional funding that becomes available in FY 2001 and FY 2002 under the ARI. Productive economic activities would be targeted at poor fishermen in Esmeraldes Province; integrated farming systems will impact indigenous populations in Sucumbios Province; and an irrigation/potable water system program will be launched in Carchi Province.
Other Donor Programs: To date there has been only minimal involvement of other donors aimed at development or security issues on the northern border. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has given a $150,000 grant to UDENOR primarily for the development of a Consultative Group meeting during the summer of 2001 in Paris, specifically to generate donor support for their $600 million, five-province, five year Northern Border Development Plan. In addition, the IDB has announced plans to commit immediately up to $500,000 in grant funding for development of project proposals related to environment and production activities in the northern Amazon border regions, with a possible $10 million loan for their execution. USAID coordinates closely with the IDB and other donors in order to maximize the efficiency of resources.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Within the context of the bilateral agreement signed with the GOE with $8 million in Plan Colombia Supplemental funds, IOM is the umbrella implementing entity. IOM maintains offices in Quito and the three northern border provinces. Actual implementation at the community level will be through a number of local NGOs and private contractors, working in close coordination with local and provincial authorities. Key civil society organizations already identified as partners include the Colegio de Ingenieros of Carchi Province; Fundacion Altropico based in Esmeraldas Province; and the FEPP (Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio) in Sucumbios.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Ecuador: 518-013
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97
(Actual)FY98
(Actual)FY99
(Actual)FY00
(Actual)FY00
(Plan)FY01
(Plan)FY02
(Plan)Indicator 1: Fund established to support CSOs activities NA NA Met Met Fund designed Fund fully operative Fund increased with other sources Indicator 2: Increased number of corruption cases brought to trial NA NA See comments (a) Met (b)Unmet See indicator description 20% increase in corruption cases brought to trial over baseline 150% increase over baseline Indicator 3: Increased number of convictions in corruption cases NA NA Met Met Passage of the Criminal Procedures Code See indicator description Initial increase of convictions (baseline) by 100% Indicator 4: Sustainability programs implemented in 3 major justice sector NGOs. NA NA Met Met First phase of program completed Programs fully operative NA Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Planned actions completed Fundacion Esquel This is a process indicator which will be achieved by accomplishing the specific steps as outlined. (*) = A new title for this SO and an interim "transition strategy" for FY 2001-2004 was proposed and is still under revision. The proposed title for SO 12 is "Increased Support for the Democratic System." Indicator 2: IR Planned actions completed/Number of cases in selected crime area(s) (CUMULATIVE) Public Ministry Specific steps need to be accomplished to enhance the capacity to bring cases to trial prior to counting the actual increase in number of cases. FY 2000 - (a) Members of task force trained in team techniques and (b) Supplementary law reform drafted. FY 2001 - (a) Anti-corruption task force members trained and prosecuting cases in Guayaquil and Quito and (b) creation of a new task force. FY 2002 - Creation of a third task force. (*) = A new title for this SO and an interim "transition strategy" for FY 2001-2004 was proposed and is still under revision. The proposed title for SO 12 is "Increased Support for the Democratic System." Indicator 3: SO Planned actions completed/Number of convictions Public Ministry and Court Records Prior to reaching the stage of actually continuing the number of convictions specific steps must be accomplished. These are laid out for the first years of indicator progress. FY 1999 - Anticorruption task force established, and joint training of prosecutors, police and judges undertaken. FY 2000 - Passage of the Criminal Procedures Code. FY 2001 - Judges agree with prosecutors on accussatory interpretation of indictment procedures (Note: This distinguishes this SO indicator more sharply from the IR 1 indicator.) (*) = A new title for this SO and an interim "transition strategy" for FY 2001-2004 was proposed and is still under revision. The proposed title for SO 12 is "Increased Support for the Democratic System." Indicator 4: IR Planned actions completed (CUMULATIVE) Fundacion Esquel The target will be achieved through accomplishment of the outlined steps. The program will be considered fully operative when the core program has completed a full cycle. (*) = A new title for this SO and an interim "transition strategy" for FY 2001-2004 was proposed and is still under revision. The proposed title for SO 12 is "Increased Support for the Democratic System." U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 4,000 CSD 4,000 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 2,000 CSD 2,000 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 6,000 CSD 6,000 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 6,486 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 6,486 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 6,750 CSD 0 CSD 19,236 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
