For a healthy region

(Washington, April 5, 2011).- Convinced that there is no sustainable development unless the peoples of the region have access to water, sanitation and disease prevention mechanisms, CAF - Latin American development bank - and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) signed a cooperation agreement as basis for the synergy between the two organizations.

The agreement was signed in Washington by Enrique García, CAF president & CEO, and Mirta Roses, director of PAHO/WHO.

"Improving the quality of life of Latin Americans is a priority for CAF but it is only possible by stimulating programs and projects which guarantee access to water and sanitation in the countries of the region,” García said.

CAF has been working and investing in this sector for over 20 years with concrete and positive results for societies; in the last five years about US$1.80 billion has been approved for the water sector.

The CAF president added "the importance of this signing is that we are joining forces with the world's oldest public health organization which is actively working in the region. The resulting synergy will strengthen the mechanisms required for disease prevention."