PRRO 200275:
In 2011, Ecuador hosted the seventh largest number of refugees in the world and the largest in the region: approximately 100.000 people, more than half of them officially recognized and registered. A new Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation started on July 2011, to last three years. The total projected number of beneficiaries is 120.100.
The PRRO supports integrated relief and recovery activities in eight provinces, with emphasis on the Northern border. Participants include asylum seeking families, refugees and vulnerable members of Ecuadorian host communities. Aligned with Government priorities, it leverages action at provincial and municipal level around a set of specific food and nutritional interventions to respond to their food security, nutrition and protection needs. Some of its innovative modalities are vouchers and local purchases. It promotes integration, with a view to diffuse tensions between refugees and Ecuadorian communities, and a strong gender focus.
Activities include food transfers and vouchers for purchase of nutritious foods; counseling on nutrition, hygiene, safe water and gender based violence responses; linking of local producers with community school lunch activities, and protection of water sources.
Cash & Voucher Project:
The Cash & Voucher pilot study has been reoriented to two Northern Provinces of Ecuador to improve the food security and nutritional status of Colombian refugees and their host communities. This study is been done in coordination with the Government, International Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the WFP.
Project for Adaptation to Climate Change:
A project for adaptation to climate change, prepared at Government request, has been approved.
Transition Opportunity Fund Proposal:
Ecuador Country Office submitted a proposal to develop a sustainable business model to leverage new funding opportunities and expand WFP’s donor base in Ecuador. The Fund will allow WFP to expand its partnership base with the Government and new strategic partners for sustainable integration of Colombian Refugees in host communities.
Gender and Nutrition:
In accordance with the WFP Gender Policy approved in February 2009, a Gender Innovations Fund was established to help country offices implement innovative activities that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. The proposal of Ecuador Country Office to mainstream gender under the national nutrition policy framework and WFPs new nutrition strategy has been approved under the Gender Innovations Fund.
Emergency Preparedness and Response:
Ecuador Country Office is cooperating with various partners in emergency preparedness and response at the country and regional level including the private sector and the Government.
The Adaptation Fund:
The Adaptation Fund Board secretariat has concluded its initial technical review of the project proposal "Enhancing resilience of communities to the adverse effects of climate change on food security, in Pichincha Province and the Jubones River basin", submitted by Ecuador Country Office on October 24, 2010
HIV/AIDS:
Through the regional project on micronutrients, WFP supports the Ministry of Health in nutrition related studies as well as in their efforts to fight malnutrition and HIV/AIDS. The final version of "Nutritional Standards and Protocols for PLHIV", already cleared by the Ministry of Health was validated by PAHO/WHO