united nations system in ecuador interagency assessment of ecuador’s northern border region...

United Nations system in EcuadorUnited Nations system in Ecuador

INTERAGENCY ASSESSMENT OF INTERAGENCY ASSESSMENT OF ECUADOR’S NORTHERN BORDER REGION ECUADOR’S NORTHERN BORDER REGION

SummarySummary

Assessment Mission to Ecuador’s Northern Border Assessment Mission to Ecuador’s Northern Border Region Region

BackgroundBackground Visit of the Secretary General to Ecuador in Visit of the Secretary General to Ecuador in

November 2003.November 2003.

On December 30th, 2003 the Government of On December 30th, 2003 the Government of Ecuador requested the Secretary General to send Ecuador requested the Secretary General to send an inter-agency mission to the Northern Border an inter-agency mission to the Northern Border Region to assess the present situation and Region to assess the present situation and recommend preventive development measures. recommend preventive development measures.

In February and March 2004 the Secretary In February and March 2004 the Secretary General approved the organization of the General approved the organization of the assessment mission. The United Nations System assessment mission. The United Nations System in Ecuador took charge in structuring it. in Ecuador took charge in structuring it.


Objectives of the MissionObjectives of the Mission

Update the diagnosis of the Northern Border Update the diagnosis of the Northern Border Region in terms of strengths and weaknesses and Region in terms of strengths and weaknesses and identification of the main challenges from the identification of the main challenges from the point of view of human development and the point of view of human development and the commitments of Ecuador in the Millennium commitments of Ecuador in the Millennium Development Goals Declaration. Development Goals Declaration.

Present to the Government of Ecuador a number Present to the Government of Ecuador a number of recommendations in the various assessment of recommendations in the various assessment areas. areas.


Thematic Areas of the Thematic Areas of the AssessmentAssessment

Human RightsHuman Rights Humanitarian Assistance and RefugeesHumanitarian Assistance and Refugees Basic Social ServicesBasic Social Services Poverty, Production and EmploymentPoverty, Production and Employment EnvironmentEnvironment Institutional AnalysisInstitutional Analysis Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

Cross-cutting areas: Gender and multiculturalismCross-cutting areas: Gender and multiculturalism

Millennium Millennium Development GoalsDevelopment Goals

(2000-2015)(2000-2015)

1. Poverty and hunger2. Primary Education3. Gender Equality4. Infant Mortality5. Maternal Health6. HIV/AIDS, malaria7. Environmental sustainability8. Partnership for Development


The Interagency MissionThe Interagency Mission

Members of the Mission:Members of the Mission: UNHCR, UN -Department of Political Affairs (DPA), UNHCR, UN -Department of Political Affairs (DPA),

FAO, OPS/WHO, WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, UNODC, FAO, OPS/WHO, WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, UNODC,

UNSECOORD and UNV.UNSECOORD and UNV.

Technical Advice:Technical Advice: UNESCO, UNFPA and UNIFEM.UNESCO, UNFPA and UNIFEM.


4 Provinces in the Northern Border Region of 4 Provinces in the Northern Border Region of EcuadorEcuador

Pacific Ocean

SS

NN

EEOO

Geography of the RegionGeography of the Region


Collection of secondary information in Quito Collection of secondary information in Quito

and in the Northern Border Regionand in the Northern Border Region Interviews with development actors of the Interviews with development actors of the

region (119 interviews)region (119 interviews) Field visits in the four provincesField visits in the four provinces Elaboration of intermediary reports in each Elaboration of intermediary reports in each

thematic areasthematic areas Technical discussion within the UN System Technical discussion within the UN System Preparation of the final reportPreparation of the final report

The Assessment ProcessThe Assessment Process


1.1. The Northern Border Region possesses The Northern Border Region possesses a enormous development potential a enormous development potential

2.2. The Northern Border Region is The Northern Border Region is especially vulnerable especially vulnerable

3.3. There are storing reasons to establish a There are storing reasons to establish a Special Plan for the region Special Plan for the region

4.4. The region should continue to be a The region should continue to be a priority for international cooperation priority for international cooperation and its actions must be coordinated and its actions must be coordinated adequatelyadequately

Key Ideas of the ReportKey Ideas of the Report


Cultural diversity (10 ethnic groups with their own Cultural diversity (10 ethnic groups with their own

language)language) Extraordinary biodiversity (7 ecological reserves, Extraordinary biodiversity (7 ecological reserves,

25% of the region’s territory)25% of the region’s territory) Natural resources (Sucumbíos is the heart of oil Natural resources (Sucumbíos is the heart of oil

production)production) Social capital (organizations, social networks, Social capital (organizations, social networks,

participation)participation)

1. A Region with great 1. A Region with great potentialpotential


Inequalities and social exclusion, poverty levels and Inequalities and social exclusion, poverty levels and gaps in basic social services (education, health, water gaps in basic social services (education, health, water and sanitation) are above national average.and sanitation) are above national average.

Institutional weaknesses (Human Rights, security, Institutional weaknesses (Human Rights, security,

administration of justice and social rehabilitation)administration of justice and social rehabilitation)

Deteriorating employment conditions and Deteriorating employment conditions and

competitivenesscompetitiveness

Strong pressures on the environmentStrong pressures on the environment

Proximity with a particularly problematic region of Proximity with a particularly problematic region of

Colombia (violence and drug trafficking)Colombia (violence and drug trafficking)

2. An especially vulnerable 2. An especially vulnerable regionregion


Numerous need and urgencies, but limited financial Numerous need and urgencies, but limited financial

resources and management capacityresources and management capacity Strategic approach on priority objectives (MDGs as Strategic approach on priority objectives (MDGs as

a reference) a reference) Preventive characterPreventive character Respond to bi-national initiativesRespond to bi-national initiatives Balance and coordination between various levels of Balance and coordination between various levels of

governmentgovernment Channels for social participationChannels for social participation

3. Need for a Special Plan3. Need for a Special Plan


International cooperation is considerable in the regionInternational cooperation is considerable in the region Some dispersion, dis-coordination and gapsSome dispersion, dis-coordination and gaps Need to strengthen coordination mechanismsNeed to strengthen coordination mechanisms Role of UDENORRole of UDENOR Convening of the Consultative Group in Brussels, under a Convening of the Consultative Group in Brussels, under a

new mechanism new mechanism Local donors table for the borderLocal donors table for the border For the UN: strengthen its support, joint programming, For the UN: strengthen its support, joint programming,

support to the elaboration of a Special Plan and the support to the elaboration of a Special Plan and the

Consultative GroupConsultative Group

4. International Cooperation4. International Cooperation


Historical isolation of the regionHistorical isolation of the region Poverty: some cantons are over 95% (Río Verde, San Lorenzo, Poverty: some cantons are over 95% (Río Verde, San Lorenzo,

Eloy Alfaro, Putumayo)Eloy Alfaro, Putumayo) Chronic malnutrition > 30% en Carchi and Sucumbíos, and Chronic malnutrition > 30% en Carchi and Sucumbíos, and

50% in Imbabura50% in Imbabura Average schooling completed < national average Average schooling completed < national average High levels of child mortality: 54 for each 1,000 born alive in High levels of child mortality: 54 for each 1,000 born alive in

Esmeraldas, 62 in Imbabura and 72 in CarchiEsmeraldas, 62 in Imbabura and 72 in Carchi High incidence of malaria in Esmeraldas and SucumbíosHigh incidence of malaria in Esmeraldas and Sucumbíos High incidence of HIV/AIDS in EsmeraldasHigh incidence of HIV/AIDS in Esmeraldas Basic needs: 80%-100% of households in the border’s vecinityBasic needs: 80%-100% of households in the border’s vecinity

2.1. Poverty and Social 2.1. Poverty and Social ServicesServices


Insecurity of population caused by violence and impunity (high Insecurity of population caused by violence and impunity (high homicide rates) homicide rates)

Weakness of the provincial “Defensorías del Pueblo”Weakness of the provincial “Defensorías del Pueblo” Sexual exploitation and violence against womenSexual exploitation and violence against women Serious shortcomings in public order and absence of State authoritySerious shortcomings in public order and absence of State authority Weakness of the social rehabilitation system Weakness of the social rehabilitation system Communities denounce the violation of indigenous people collective Communities denounce the violation of indigenous people collective

rightsrights Discrimination against Colombian citizensDiscrimination against Colombian citizens

2.2. Human Rights and 2.2. Human Rights and Administration of JusticeAdministration of Justice


As of June 30, 2004: 26,703 persons had requested As of June 30, 2004: 26,703 persons had requested refugee status. It was granted to 7,609 of themrefugee status. It was granted to 7,609 of them

Additional demands for basic social services. Additional demands for basic social services. Difficult social insertionDifficult social insertion Illicit trade (drugs, precursors, arms)Illicit trade (drugs, precursors, arms) Other illegal activitiesOther illegal activities InsecurityInsecurity Worries about the possible effects of aerial Worries about the possible effects of aerial

spraying of illicit crops in Colombiaspraying of illicit crops in Colombia

2.3. Effects of the 2.3. Effects of the Colombian ConflictColombian Conflict


Participation and consultation channels for Participation and consultation channels for

communities communities Prevention and conflict resolution mechanismsPrevention and conflict resolution mechanisms Sustainability Sustainability Environment impact assessments and on Environment impact assessments and on

social – environmental conflictssocial – environmental conflicts Territorial approach: non-discriminatory focusTerritorial approach: non-discriminatory focus

3.1. Prevention3.1. Prevention


Northern Border Cabinet: coordination and follow-up Northern Border Cabinet: coordination and follow-up

to the Special Plan to the Special Plan Clarify the role and the technical profile of UDENOR Clarify the role and the technical profile of UDENOR

as a coordinator of international cooperation as a coordinator of international cooperation Rising responsibility of sectional governments: Rising responsibility of sectional governments:

training and decentralizationtraining and decentralization Promotion of associations and consortiums between Promotion of associations and consortiums between

local governments local governments Special Plan as an articulator of actionsSpecial Plan as an articulator of actions

3.2. Inter-institutional 3.2. Inter-institutional CoordinationCoordination


Beyond a simple presentation of project for Beyond a simple presentation of project for financing financing

Should not necessarily focus on UDENORShould not necessarily focus on UDENOR Platform to discuss and reach consensus on policy Platform to discuss and reach consensus on policy

priorities and the work areas of the Special Plan priorities and the work areas of the Special Plan Participation of the central government, sectional Participation of the central government, sectional

government, civil society and the private sectorgovernment, civil society and the private sector Convene the Group once the Government has Convene the Group once the Government has

analyzed and discussed the policy frameworkanalyzed and discussed the policy framework The UN could collaborate with the Government and The UN could collaborate with the Government and

the IADBthe IADB

4.1. Consultative Group4.1. Consultative Group

RecommendationsRecommendations

Thematic Area

Vulnerabilities and Threats

Suggested Strategic Lines of Action

Institutional capacity

building and

improving manageme

nt

Limited capacity for management and weak coordination by the executive and disconnection between national and local levels partially due to the lack of a shared plan agreed upon with the participation of all key players. Notable weakness of UDENOR as the cooperation coordination entity has been observed. Ineffective decentralization and low local technical capacity.

Designing, financing, and implementing a Special Plan for the Northern Zone of Ecuador, focusing on some basic priorities for social and economic development to remedy the historical marginalization of its population and preventing or counteracting possible impacts stemming from the problems of neighboring areas. This Plan should guarantee broad opportunities for participation.

Installing in the executive branch effective coordination mechanisms, such as a Northern Border Cabinet that would act as the policymaking body in charge of general coordination and follow-up of the Special Plan. Other State representatives (national or local) could participate in this mechanism as required.

Redefining the preeminently technical role and profile of UDENOR as the entity in charge of coordinating international cooperation in the northern zone.

Prioritizing institutional capacity building programs for local governments in the northern zone. Guaranteeing the timely provision of resources and promoting a well-structured process for transferring jurisdiction to autonomous local governments.

Poverty and food security

Poverty incidence levels higher than the national average. Fragile situation of food security and weaknesses in the management of public food programs.

Incorporating a special component focusing on the northern zone in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Giving priority to care for the population at risk of suffering from food insecurity, viewing food as elements empowering local development, and to refugees and asylum seekers, with emphasis on children under five years of age, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers.

Promoting the gradual transfer of management of Central Government food programs to local government.

Production and

employment

Limited opportunities for employment and productive activities. Adverse impact of dollarization on border production and trade.

Giving priority to programs that facilitate job opportunities and access to productive assets for the most vulnerable population.

Promoting the implementation of the Program for Sustainable Productive Borders, which would require awarding and titling lands so that the zone’s inhabitants could gain access to soft loans for production purposes.

Assessing the technical and political advisability of establishing preferential conditions that give incentives to production in the zone, such as the tax benefits proposed by the northern provinces and which have been submitted to Congress.

Basic social

services

Level of access to basic social services (education, health, water supply and sanitation) below national average and poor quality of these services. Greater privations in the rural sector and in Esmeraldas and Sucumbíos. Absence of periodical information.

Giving priority to expanding coverage and improving the quality of health and sanitation services, on the basis of primary care and health promotion strategies.

Undertaking a consultation process on the capabilities of health services so as to evaluate the options of reaching joint management agreements.

Promoting the formulation of special education policies for the border zone that include the allocation of teachers, teacher training, and upgrading school facilities. Supporting school inclusion plans with local government.

Building up statistical information systems in order to have valid instruments to monitor and evaluate the zone periodically.

Giving priority to programs aimed at improving access of the population to clean water sources.

Gender Women living in especially vulnerable situations. Discrimination, violence, and sexual exploitation.

Undertaking training aimed at government institutions to raise awareness of, and train, staff regarding the importance of achieving gender equity by connecting these actions to gender violence prevention and eradication policies.

Installing Women’s Reporting Centers in San Lorenzo (Esmeraldas) and Sucumbíos.

Thematic Area



Intercultural

framework

The indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian population is suffering from discrimination and severe social exclusion. Lack of respect for collective rights.

Implementing effective mechanisms to guarantee the collective rights of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian peoples, especially in respect to regularizing and respecting their territories and their right to be consulted and to benefit from the earnings stemming from the development of natural resources.

Human rights and

the administration of justice

Clear weakness in institutions administering justice, human rights ombudsman offices, social rehabilitation system, and reporting centers that handle matters involving women and children. Lack of training in human rights. Concern for fumigations.

Giving priority to the work of reforming and building up the administration of justice in the area.

Training the Armed Forces and the National Police in human rights and international humanitarian law.

Strengthening and granting autonomy from political interests to the function of Human Rights Ombudsman and establishing institutional capacity building programs.

Giving priority to building up the capacity of the local social rehabilitation system.

Promoting enforcement of the Code for Children and Adolescents as a mechanism to defend the rights of the child. Building up the capacity of INNFA so that it can collaborate efficiently in handling cases of gender violence and child abuse.

Strengthening and regularizing the work of the Scientific-Technical Commission in charge of assessing the potential impacts of fumigations along the border.

Environment

Nonsustainable development of natural resources. Institutional void and ineffectiveness in controlling forests. Weak control and remediation mechanisms to deal with the impacts of oil and gas production.

Ensuring the operational functioning of forest conservation and management mechanisms in the Forest Strategy. Promoting the sustainable use of these resources by replicating successful community experiences. Disseminating the volunteer forest certification system as an alternative for communities interested in the sustainable use of their forests.

Promoting sustainable resource management on the basis of the sustainable conservation and use of water basins.

Building up local capacity for the effective implementation of decentralization of environmental jurisdiction toward local government and strengthening the environmental management of the protected areas of the northern region.

Building up existing political, technical, and coordination spaces for international cooperation, for example, by establishing a subforum for the northern region in the Environmental Donors Forum.

Facilitating socio-environmental conflict management in the northern region through effective institutions.

Building up environmental controls and remediation for oil and gas exploration and production.

Controlling illicit

activities

Vulnerability to trafficking in illicit goods and criminal activities in general. Lack of effective control and system for investigating and punishing crime.

Urgently establishing mechanisms for monitoring and controlling illicit crops and improving the monitoring of the country’s ports.

Giving priority to enactment of Money Laundering Act.

Improving identification of drugs and chemical precursors used in manufacturing drugs and implementing mechanisms for their safe handling and storage.

Strengthening the system for administering justice, especially in respect to investigating and punishing crimes.

International

cooperation

Lack of coordination. Need to build up support in view of the northern zone’s special vulnerability.

Convening, by the Government and in coordination with IDB, a meeting of the Brussels Consultative Group to discuss the Special Plan for the Northern Zone. This invitation will be preceded by a sound commitment by the Government to implement this Special Plan and by a discussion of the recommendations formulated in this Report. The Consultative Group should be conceived as a pluralistic group, which in addition to guaranteeing the participation of the public, private, and social sectors discusses not only the portfolios of projects or requests for funding but also policy options and priorities.

Establishing in the country an international cooperation follow-up and coordination entity for the zone, such as a Northern Border Donor Forum.

Thematic Area



Humanitarian aid and

refuge

A rising inflow of Colombian refugees, beyond what was forecast in the contingency plans, cannot be ruled out. Use of basic services is already overextended because of this phenomenon. The issue of food supply has to be focused on. Society’s perception of Colombian immigrants tends to be negative as they are blamed for illicit activities and unfair competition for limited job opportunities. The procedures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to grant refugee status to asylum seekers have become inefficient.

Expanding and promoting the participation of other UN system agencies and multilateral and bilateral cooperation in the portfolio of Community Support and Integration Projects funded by UNHCR, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The identification and implementation of these projects should ensure the participation of national, canton, and community structures and incorporate the national, refugee, and immigration population.

Expanding coverage and building up basic social services and food programs in the communities that are receiving inflows of Colombians who are victims of violence.

Ensuring update to the coordination mechanism and contingency plans drawn up by the Ecuadorian Government with support from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, and the international community

Building up the capacity of government institutions in order to speed up procedures for determining refugee status, with a more frequent presence of the Refugee Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador in the border communities receiving refugees, so as to the reduce the growing number of cases that are pending resolution and the waiting time and thus promote respect the human rights of asylum seekers

Promoting public campaigns providing information about the real situation of refugees, as well as communication instruments promoting respect for the rights of immigrants and refugees and the advisability of achieving harmonious social integration so as to address growing discrimination.


Local governance Local governance Refuge and humanitarian aid Refuge and humanitarian aid Basic Social Services Basic Social Services Drugs and illicit activities Drugs and illicit activities

Actions in 4 main AreasActions in 4 main Areas


The Government has acknowledged the relevance of The Government has acknowledged the relevance of the recommendations of the Un inter-agency report the recommendations of the Un inter-agency report

Many public institutions have been asked to study the Many public institutions have been asked to study the

report and offer their comments report and offer their comments The National Secretariat of Planning and Development The National Secretariat of Planning and Development

has prepared a Special Plan for the Northern Border, has prepared a Special Plan for the Northern Border,

incorporating the main lines of the Un report incorporating the main lines of the Un report A dialogue on the Special Plan has begunA dialogue on the Special Plan has begun The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with

the European Union, has reactivated the donor’s the European Union, has reactivated the donor’s

coordination mechanism at the national level coordination mechanism at the national level

The Government’s first The Government’s first reactionsreactions


UNODC has signed new and important projects with UNODC has signed new and important projects with the Government the Government

UNHCR has broaden its portfolio of Community UNHCR has broaden its portfolio of Community

Support and Integration Projects Support and Integration Projects The UNCT will suggest the Government to define The UNCT will suggest the Government to define

and implement a joint development and and implement a joint development and

humanitarian programme in the region (focused on humanitarian programme in the region (focused on

Lago Agrio). Lago Agrio). An inter-agency technical group has been An inter-agency technical group has been

established to strengthen coordination of UN established to strengthen coordination of UN

activities in the zone activities in the zone

UN first initiativesUN first initiatives

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

united nations system in ecuador interagency assessment of ecuador’s northern border region...

Documents

assessment mission

government of ecuador

development slide

commitments of ecuador

various assessment areas

human development

secretary general

interagency mission