Starting from February 14, 2025, several provinces in Ecuador have experienced substantial rainfall, prompting a crisis declaration. The National Secretariat of Risk Management declared various alerts including a RED ALERT and, subsequently, a state of emergency for 60 days to mobilize necessary funds and support. Floods have severely damaged health facilities, affecting local populations profoundly.
Beginning on February 14, 2025, several provinces in Ecuador, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, and El Salvador, faced increased rainfall that severely impacted local communities, housing, and livelihoods. The National Secretariat of Risk Management responded to the crisis by declaring multiple alerts, highlighting the risks posed by landslides and excessive rainfall.
Under Resolution No. SNGR-046-2025, a RED ALERT was issued for The provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Santa Elena. Simultaneously, an ORANGE ALERT was declared in Azuay, Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Loja, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. A YELLOW ALERT was established for the remaining twelve provinces to prepare for possible rainfall effects and landslide risks.
On February 25, 2025, the National Secretariat of Risk Management issued RESOLUTION No. SNGR-050-2025, declaring a regional emergency lasting 60 days in response to the severe and repeated climate events. This emergency status aims to facilitate the allocation of resources and personnel to provinces such as Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Loja, and Azuay, which are particularly affected.
The flooding has severely damaged health infrastructure in Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro, significantly compromising the operational capacity of health facilities in these areas. This damage is critical as it directly impacts the health and safety of affected populations.
In summary, Ecuador has been severely impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding beginning February 14, 2025. The National Secretariat of Risk Management has declared multiple alerts to address the risks associated with landslides. A regional emergency has been declared to mobilize resources and aid to the most affected provinces, while the health infrastructure in several areas has suffered considerable damage, necessitating urgent attention.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
