Ecuador Faces Regional Emergency Due to Severe Flooding and Rainfall

Since February 14, 2025, heavy rainfall in Ecuador has led to state alerts and a declaration of regional emergency. Provinces like Esmeraldas, Manabí, and Guayas are notably impacted, with serious damage to health infrastructures and housing. The National Secretariat of Risk Management has mobilized resources to combat these challenges.

As of February 14, 2025, various provinces in Ecuador, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, and El Salvador, have experienced heavy rainfall. This inclement weather has adversely affected the local population, their livelihoods, and housing.

In response to the escalating rain levels, the National Secretariat of Risk Management issued Resolution No. SNGR-046-2025, which declared a RED ALERT in the provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Santa Elena due to potential landslides. Additionally, an ORANGE ALERT was announced in Azuay, Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Loja, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. A YELLOW ALERT was put in place for the remaining twelve provinces of Ecuador to mitigate the effects of anticipated rains and landslides.

Further addressing the situation, the National Secretariat of Risk Management declared a regional emergency through RESOLUTION No. SNGR-050-2025 on February 25, 2025. This declaration, valid for a duration of sixty days, aims to address the severe impacts of recurring climate events on communities, infrastructure, housing, and services. Funding and additional personnel will be mobilized to support the affected provinces: Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Loja, and Azuay.

The recent flooding has inflicted substantial damage on health infrastructures within Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro. This damage has severely compromised the operational capacity of health facilities, posing a significant threat to public health in the affected regions.

The increased rainfall in Ecuador has led to emergency measures and significant infrastructural hardships. The National Secretariat of Risk Management’s declarations of alerts and a state of emergency underscore the gravity of the situation. Urgent action is necessary to address the resulting challenges, particularly in health and housing for affected populations.

Original Source: reliefweb.int