The USA rewards two Ecuadorians for their “pioneer” work against trafficking Daniel Rueda and Verónica Supliguicha offer assistance to victims of human trafficking.
The US Government awarded this Thursday, June 20, to Ecuadorians, Daniel Rueda and Verónica Supliguicha, for their “pioneer” work against trafficking in persons, focused on offering victims the legal, psychological and health assistance they need to “rebuild their life project” “
The work of both, founders of the Alas de Colibri center, was recognized during a ceremony at the State Department, where they received an award from US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to the president. , Donald Trump.
The State Department described them as “tireless defenders and experts” in the fight against trafficking and “true pioneers”, who have helped 300 victims of labor and sexual exploitation from a “personalized and comprehensive approach that empowers” those who They have suffered.
Rueda y Supliguicha founded in 2012 Alas de Colibrí, one of the two centers that fight against human trafficking in Ecuador.
In an interview with Efe, Rueda explained that her work focuses on the victim: “It is important not to revictimize it, to create a living space so that you can continue with your expectations, with your dreams. Every human being wants to have a life project and that project has been cut by trafficking. “
“It is important to rebuild that life project,” stressed Rueda.
For this, the Alas de Colibrí center creates a “safe, trustworthy and peaceful, without blame and without question” space, which is essential to help women, especially adolescents who have suffered sexual exploitation, said Supliguicha.
The Subsec attached Chung and Ambassador Carrión met with Daniel Rueda and Verónica Supliguicha de ???? who have dedicated their lives to helping victims of human trafficking. #EEUU is committed to the eradication of human trafficking. https://t.co/KdjsWHhmAG
– US Embassy Quito (@usembassy_quito) June 20, 2019
The Ecuadorian argued that trafficking in persons has two important aspects: first, it is a product of the “naturalization of violence against women”, and second, it is caused by “structural” conditions, such as poverty, exclusion and mobility phenomena. human
“Unfortunately,” he said, “we live in a society, in a world where the first thing he does is to blame the victim and I think that, from there, we can begin to change and understand that this is only the result of a series of factors that oblige them to be victims of trafficking or sexual exploitation “.
The worst thing is that when talking about this phenomenon, according to Supliguicha, society forgets to mention those who attack women and use their economic power, age and manhood to “reify” the victims and “use them as merchandise, instead that as human beings. “
“That is the part of the trafficking that we do not talk about, that we do not say because socially it can be uncomfortable, but it must be said,” he complained.
The Alas de Colibrí center is in Quito and now faces a new challenge: the thousands of Venezuelans who arrive in Ecuador and, due to their vulnerable situation, can be victims of trafficking.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), some 4 million Venezuelans are living outside their country and some 100,000 are currently in Ecuador.
4. Ecuador imported $ 3.6 million in plastic recycling
Quito –
Ecuador’s imports of plastic waste were equivalent to $ 3.6 million in 2018. The figure is a little higher than that imported in 2017 and that was worth $ 1.7 million. These imports that serve plastics and synthetic spinning industries were mainly made from the US, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Panama.
This was explained by representatives of the productive sectors of the country, after the British newspaper The Guardian published a report that included Ecuador among the countries that import plastic waste from the United States.
The Guardian article titled: ‘Where is your plastic going? A global investigation reveals the dirty secret of the United States. ‘ It also indicates that “waste” is making its way around the world and overwhelming the poorest nations. ” The British newspaper, which does not give details of the case of Ecuador, maintains that the US I would be exporting contaminated waste.
No import restriction
On the subject, Luis Naranjo, head of the Economic area and projects of the Chamber of Commerce of Quito, explained that in Ecuador at least two types of industries import recyclable waste from several countries. They use it to produce synthetic yarn and plastic trash bags. Ensures that there is no restriction to import this type of waste.
Companies are forced to import, because on several occasions the country’s recycled plastics, which are raw materials for their products, are not enough. He also commented that within the country there should be better recycling policies, but in Ecuador there is no recycling culture, which is why mixing of plastic products with other organic products is allowed.
Take advantage of recycling
Caterina Acosta, president of the Chamber of Industries of Guayaquil, confirmed that plastic waste does arrive in the country, but in a low percentage. He explained that for producers and environmentalists the reuse of post-consumption and post-industrial waste is positive. He explained that the most developed countries recover waste through recycling processes.
In Ecuador, an example of this is the payment for plastic bottles, which are processed and recovered. He also explained that the technology of certain Ecuadorian companies is highly developed, to such an extent that they can be reused and generate recycled products that serve for use in the food sector. As for polyethylenes, products such as banana sheaths are generated. The industry in the country adds value to this raw material, he explained.
Estefanía Ávalos, vice minister (s) of Environment, said that the British newspaper’s report is far from the truth, and that Ecuador has not been and will not be a garbage collector of any country.
Source: https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/premio-ecuatorianos-estadosunidos-trata-personas-YJ2920357