State-run National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida), Economy and Finance Ministry, and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a memorandum of understanding to provide basic services to people living in former coca-growing areas.
The agreement was signed by Devida head Carmen Masias, Economy and Finance Minister Davis Tuesta, U.S. Ambassador to Peru Krishna R. Urs, and USAID Administrator Mark Green.
"It's a Public-Private Partnership, whose purpose is the local and economic development of Peruvian families, who previously were engaged in illegal cultivation," Masias expressed.
"And now, many of them are dedicated to the production of coffee and cacao," she pointed out.
Nevertheless, if things are made in a coordinated fashion, Peruvians will live in a
country without drugs, the Devida representative indicated.
The agreement will benefit families in 12 districts of Ucayali, San Martin, Pasco, Huanuco, and Junin regions, where post-eradication activities are carried out and technical assistance is needed.
The signing ceremony also saw the presence of Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva, who said that "the aroma of coffee can overcome the foul smell of cocaine."
(END) NDP/JAA/MVB