French government offers $100 million credit line for earthquake reconstruction

The French Development Agency (AFD) has announced it will offer Ecuador a $100 million credit line for earthquake recovery in Manabi Province.

Earthquake debris is removed in Manabi Province.

According to AFD spokesman Marco Varea, the money will be used for infrastructure reconstruction, rebuilding of government and facilities, and for social programs necessary for recovery. “This is a gesture of the French peoples’ solidarity with the people of Ecuador in this time of crisis,” he said.

Following the AFD announcement, the Ecuadorian government said it planned to begin tapping credit line immediately, with funding being coordinated by the National Finance Corporation (CFN). “We greatly appreciate the French assistance,” said Mariano Zambrano, Manabi prefect. “This will help restore normality to the lives of our citizens, to get them back to living productive lives,” he said.

The French government was one of the first to offer assistance following the April 16 earthquake, and has donated several million dollars of goods to victims.

Private French companies are involved in a number of infrastructure projects in Ecuador, including the construction of Cuenca’s tram and Quito’s subway. About 200 French nationals are currently working in Cuenca on the tram.