Joint support with Cálidda for 50 people’s canteens to be connected free of charge to the natural gas service

(Lima, October 22, 2010).- Fifty people’s canteens in the districts of San Juan de Lurigancho and El Agustino will be connected to the natural gas network free of charge through the Miska Wasi Program, formed through a partnership between CAF – Latin American development bank – and Cálidda, natural gas distributor in Lima and Callao.

The symbolic opening of the Miska Wasi Program in Social Action no. 2 people’s canteen of San Juan de Lurigancho – took place in the presence of the minister of Women and Social Development, Virginia Borra; CAF corporate vice president of social and environmental development, José Carrera; CAF representative director in Peru, Eleonora Silva; and Cálidda general manager Ernesto Córdova.

The aim of the Miska Wasi Program is to connect these soup kitchens free of charge to the natural gas service to provide the benefit of cheaper, cleaner and safer fuel. The program provides the natural gas service, trains staff in its safe use and equips the kitchens with new cookers. In its first year, the program will invest US$180,000 in connecting canteens located in San Juan de Lurigancho and El Agustino.

"The program will generate average savings of 50% in the cost of fuel in the kitchens. We are very pleased to contribute to the development of these organizations involved in important work in favor of low-income people," Ernesto Córdova, General Manager of Cálidda, said.

José Carrera, CAF corporate vice president of social and environmental development, said the action would improve the quality of service in 50 canteens in barrios of extreme poverty in the capital districts, by offering a greater variety of hot menus which would improve nutrition for approximately 5,000 people who use these establishments.

"This is a new vision for CAF, which in strategic partnerships with government authorities and private business – on this occasion with Cálidda – stimulates initiatives for sustainable development in countries where they share presence and responsibilities in the financial, energy and social areas, in an effort to raise the quality of life of low-income populations through projects that improve their well-being at all levels," Carrera said.

Cálidda and CAF have an agreement to develop social projects. They recently worked together on donation of medical implements, valued at over US$190,000, for Maria Auxiliadora Hospital, San Juan de Dios Clinic Home, and the Children's Hospital.

Cálidda is the company which distributes natural gas in Lima and Callao. It currently delivers natural gas to homes in San Juan de Lurigancho, Cercado de Lima, Pueblo Libre, San Miguel, Surco, Jesús María, Magdalena, El Agustino and San Juan de Miraflores. The service will soon be extended to Villa María del Triunfo network.