Since February 14, 2025, several provinces in Ecuador, including Esmeraldas and Guayas, have been significantly impacted by heavy rainfall. A RED ALERT is in effect for several provinces due to the risk of landslides, while a state of regional emergency has been declared to assist affected regions. This crisis has severely damaged health facilities, hindering operational capabilities.

Beginning on February 14, 2025, several provinces of Ecuador, including Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, and El Salvador, have experienced heavy rainfall, leading to severe consequences for the local populations. This adverse weather has particularly impacted the livelihoods and housing conditions of the affected communities.

In response to the escalating rainfall, the National Secretariat of Risk Management has issued crucial resolutions. A RED ALERT was declared for El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Santa Elena, warning of landslide risks. An ORANGE ALERT was also instituted in Azuay, Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Loja, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, while a YELLOW ALERT was established across the remaining provinces of Ecuador to mitigate potential effects of the rains and landslides.

On February 25, 2025, a state of regional emergency was declared for a period of 60 days, based on RESOLUTION No. SNGR-050-2025. This declaration was necessary due to the recurring and severe climate events that have adversely affected not only the population but also critical infrastructure, housing, and basic services across the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Loja, and Azuay.

The health infrastructure within the provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro has sustained considerable damage as a result of the flooding. This destruction has severely compromised the operational capacity of vital health facilities, raising concerns about the public’s access to necessary medical services during this crisis.

In summary, the provinces of Ecuador are facing considerable challenges due to increased rainfall, prompting a state of emergency and multiple alerts to safeguard the population. The impact on housing, infrastructure, and health facilities is significant, necessitating urgent resource mobilization and support in the affected regions.

Original Source: reliefweb.int