The canton of Arenillas is located in southern Ecuador, very close to the Peruvian border. It is known as the green canton because of the productivity of its land, however this land is concentrated in the hands of just a few farmers, a situation which daily widens the gap between rich and poor in the region.

The latest municipal statistics indicate that at least 30% of the rural population lacks adequate water and sanitation services, which in addition to denying them their basic human rights puts their health constantly at risk.

In addition, since February 2008 this canton has been seriously affected by the intense rainfall in the region, and the subsequent flooding, destruction of housing, deterioration of access roads, among other damages.

Under these conditions, it is important to join institutional forces and efforts to support those communities who do not have basic services and who also suffer the effect of devastating rainy seasons every year. In recent years, some conditions have arisen that are important to mention: 1) there is political viability, with the very visible leadership of Mayor Karina Torres; 2) the practice of working together and in partnership has emerged; 3) community participation is promoted at all times, among others.

In this context, over the past eight years, CARE Ecuador has been supporting various initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the residents of Arenillas, through programs and projects like: a) the SUR Program, which included the components of social services and strengthening local governments; 2) the Elice Program which is focused on improving the quality of education in the region; 3) Water and sanitation programs with support from the Coca Cola Foundation, and others.

We also feel that CARE’s accumulated knowledge of the reality in the region and its ability to identify the most vulnerable sectors are very important.

Currently, CARE is carrying out water and sanitation programs in the communities of San Vicente del Jobo and Cañas in the Arenillas canton, with funds from the Coca Cola Foundation, however new short-term challenges have arisen as just a few kilometers away there are communities whose residents continue to drink water that is unsafe.

The project will also build the following types of local capacity:

? Organizational: The community of Batanes will become a part of the Cañas water supply system and will be regulated by the Law of Water Administration Boards.
? Environmental: With support from the municipality, actions will be carried out to ensure that the sources of water are protected.
? Economic-financial: the users of the system are committed to pay the tariffs established for the operation and maintenance of the system.

CARE’s methodology always seeks to guarantee the sustainability of the services and ensure that at the end of the process, the communities will be capable of operating, maintaining and administering their systems.

It is important to point out that the infrastructure interventions will be accompanied by ongoing community organization and sanitary and environmental education efforts.

One phase - estimated completion in five months from receipt of funding

This proposal has the backing of the local government, which has committed to allocating the necessary counterpart funding to complete the work. At the moment, CARE Ecuador has significant installed capacity in the area, and has office spaces, its own vehicles, and personnel trained for projects of this type. Finally, it is important to point out that there the community is committed to becoming the key actor in this effort and to providing counterpart contributions in the form of hauling materials, providing unskilled labor, acquiring local materials, etc.

part of overall project; cost details can be provided on request

local government has committed to allocating the necessary counterpart funding to complete the work; also CARE Ecuador has significant installed capacity in the area, and has office spaces, its own vehicles, and personnel trained for projects of this type.

the community is committed to becoming the key actor in this effort and to providing counterpart contributions in the form of hauling materials, providing unskilled labor, acquiring local materials, etc.