600 families to benefit from Emergent Relocation Plan

(Quito, February 24, 2011) .- CAF - Latin American development bank - and the Quito Metropolitan District signed a technical cooperation agreement to finance the Relocation Plan for High Risk Families located in areas with these characteristics in the city of Quito. The document was signed by Enrique Garcia, CAF president & CEO, and Augusto Barrera, mayor of Quito Metropolitan District.

The president of the financial institution said "with these funds CAF continues to support the improvement of the living conditions of disadvantaged people in the city, giving them access to safe housing and contributing to the urban development of the capital." Approximately 600 families will benefit from the Plan, García added.

Mayor Augusto Barrera thanked CAF for its support. He said the agreement was important because it would protect the lives of families living in areas susceptible to natural hazards.

One of the city’s main problems is urban sprawl, which has led to growth of squatter settlements, especially on hillsides with dangerous housing on the banks and in the beds of streams. An orderly and safe process of relocation of families is required to solve this problem.

The Plan will be executed by the Department of Security and Governance of Quito Metropolitan District and will be implemented during one year.