Ecuador

21 October 2026

Floods and landslides affected over 21,000 people across Ecuador between 29 August and 17 October 2026, particularly in Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Los Ríos, provinces already severely affected by flooding in 2025 and early 2026. By 17 October, the disasters had destroyed 17 homes and damaged 5,436 across 17 provinces. Infrastructure damage included one collapsed bridge, eight damaged bridges, and 13.17km of deteriorated roads. The Government has distributed 11,677 aid items, but only one of 15 temporary shelters remains operational. Affected people require emergency shelter and WASH services. Stagnant water also increases the risk of vector-borne diseases. By July, Ecuador had reported 21,655 cases, approximately 97% of which were dengue. The latest flooding could further strain response capacity and compound unresolved needs from the 2025 floods, which had affected over 111,000 people, displaced 14,000, and damaged or destroyed 31,500 homes by mid-March 2025. (El Universo 17/10/2026, SNGR 30/07/2026, MSP 04/07/2026)

09 March 2026

In 2025, the humanitarian impact of Ecuador's escalating security crisis deteriorated further. Protection needs increased; 9,100 people died, raising the homicide rate to one of the highest worldwide at 51 from 7.7 per 100,000 people in 2018. An estimated 316,000 people were also newly internally displaced, mainly by non-state armed group (NSAG) activity – an unprecedented level for a country with no history of large-scale internal displacement until the 2020s. Conflict-related security risks suspended 147 schools, restricting education access for 680,000 children. Limited access to WASH services and increased protection risks, including child recruitment by armed groups, were also reported across the provinces that faced the most NSAG activity, including Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, and Pichincha. While no comprehensive needs assessment has been conducted for early 2026, urgent needs are expected to include assistance t access shelter, protection, education, and WASH services. (OCHA 24/02/2026, WFP 25/02/2026, ICG 12/11/2025)

04 March 2025

Since the start of February 2025, Ecuador has been experiencing severe flooding and landslides caused by persistent heavy rains. By 2 March, severe weather and flooding resulted in 11 deaths and nine injuries. Around 66,000 people have been affected, and over 2,000 have been displaced in 23 of the country’s 24 provinces. El Salvador, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo are among the hardest-hit provinces. Over 17,000 homes have been damaged and 40 completely destroyed. Healthcare infrastructure has also been damaged, further straining the capacity of health facilities. As a result, the National Secretariat for Risk Management declared a regional emergency on 25 February. In provinces such as El Oro and Esmeraldas, which have the highest protection risks, the floods compound the impact of criminal gang violence. The most urgent needs include WASH, shelter, healthcare, food, and protection. (ECHO accessed 04/03/2025, 3IS 18/12/2024, IFRC 01/03/2025)

04 April 2024

Heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides, worsened by El Niño seasonal events, have been causing widespread destruction in Ecuador since the beginning of 2024. As at 3 April, the impact has killed eight people, injured 13, and affected 170,000, primarily in the western provinces of Manabí and Guayas. It had also affected or destroyed more than 38,000 homes, 400 educational institutions, and 29 healthcare facilities nationwide. As a result, people require access to shelter, education, and healthcare services. (ERCC accessed 09/04/2024, SGR 03/04/2024, Ecuador Government accessed 09/04/2024)