WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) will expand an income generation program in La Guajira in northeastern Colombia thanks to new funding from the Chevron Corporation, the Foundation announced during a ceremony in Cartagena, Colombia, in conjunction with the Summit of Americas.

PADF and Chevron have had a long and successful partnership in mobilizing aid following natural disasters, developing disaster preparedness plans, and implementing social responsibility projects in Colombia and other Latin American and the Caribbean countries. This new donation further expands our joint efforts to provide sustainable development solutions to the regions disadvantaged communities, said John Sanbrailo, PADF Executive Director.

As a result of this contribution, PADF expects to reach many more vulnerable families in the Riohacha and Manaure municipalities in La Guajira Department through a project that supports entrepreneurship and improves family incomes. This effort is contributing to a larger national project spearheaded by the Colombian government between 2010 and 2014, of which at least 10,700 families living in 22 cities will benefit through PADF.

Colombian project participants will receive training and technical assistance to help strengthen personal, administrative and business skills, develop income generation enterprises, as well as improve their marketing opportunities. Activities will also focus on business development skills that contribute to leadership and entrepreneurship of beneficiaries.

In conjunction with the Summit of the Americas, PADF made the announcement during an April 13 ceremony held in the city of Cartagena in which the Foundation recognized Chevrons many contributions over the years, citing the companys longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility that has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of Colombian families.

Chevrons corporate social responsibility priorities have benefited vulnerable people across Colombia, among them displaced and indigenous populations, through projects for income generation, improving health and education, and strengthening community organizations, added Sanbrailo.

Receiving the PADF award was Ali Moshiri, President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, with participation by other senior Chevron officials including David Bantz, Chevron Country Manager in Colombia. In addition to the PADF Executive Director, John Sanbrailo, the Foundation was represented by its Vice President Frank Kanayet, a leading Colombian business executive, and the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Ambassador Albert Ramdin.

Over the last decade, PADF has implemented over $1 million in projects to assist displaced and indigenous people in La Guajira that received contributions from Chevron and other donors. In addition, PADF has implemented almost $1.5 million in donations provided by Chevron throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean. The latter partnership has resulted in successful completion of over 30 disaster relief and recovery projects benefiting tens of thousands of victims, especially through the distribution of Emergency Shelter Packages to affected communities in the region. Chevron also contributed to developing PADFs Disaster Management Emergency Response Program (DMERP), a corporate-based disaster preparedness program, and worked with the Foundation to support the companys Energy for Learning projects in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

As Colombias largest producer of natural gas, Chevrons partnership with the Colombian people has deep roots, especially in La Guajira Department where in 1972 the company discovered gas, drilling the first well in 1975. In addition to supporting local development through PADF, Chevron has also improved education and access to new technologies, promoted cultural development, invested in economic development to strengthen communities, and provided improved access to clean water to residents, among them many Wayuu indigenous communities.

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PADF and Chevron’s Expanding Partnership in Colombia to Support Income Generation Initiative in La Guajira