Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 2 May 2025

KEY FIGURES

• 9M people estimated to be living in areas affected by widespread flooding in Bolivia
• 12.9K people displaced in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, Haiti, due to armed violence
• 50K people isolated in Tierralta, Colombia, due to heavy rains collapsing two bridges

ECUADOR: EARTHQUAKE & FLOODS

On 25 April, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the Esmeraldas province, affecting at least 2,810 people and injuring 49. The quake damaged 1,635 houses and affected 36 schools, 7 health facilities, 45 public buildings and 2 bridges. Electricity and telecommunications reached 90 per cent restoration within days, but water and sanitation remain priorities. The Esmeraldas refinery suspended operations, though the pipeline at the center of the mid-March oil spill emergency that prompted an UNDAC deployment resumed crude pumping the same day. Authorities are addressing shelter, WASH, health, and livelihoods needs. Additionally, heavy rains continue to pummel Ecuador. As of 21 April, 12 provinces remain under states of emergency, with further rain and infrastructure risks forecast into May.

BOLIVIA: FLOODS

As of 25 April, floods in Bolivia have led to 58 deaths, with 10 people still missing. The disaster has damaged or destroyed 10,000 homes and affected some 8,265 communities. The World Food Programme estimates that nearly 9 million people live in flood-affected areas. Authorities continue to warn of increased risks of river overflows across multiple basins. Humanitarian Coordination Forum partners have mobilized US$1.1 million to address urgent needs in food, WASH, protection, shelter, health, and nutrition. Fifteen organizations have reached about 57,000 people across 44 municipalities. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated US$1 million for food, WASH, and livelihoods. IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), worth US$543,000, is assisting 10,000 people with water, health, cash, and livelihood support.

HAITI: DISPLACEMENT

​Since 28 April 2025, armed attacks in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite have displaced 12,902 people across 3,178 households. Ninety per cent of the displaced have sought refuge with host families, while 10 per cent have settled in 16 sites, 11 of which are newly established. This adds to the one million already displaced in the country as of late 2024. With commercial flights suspended and roads blocked, humanitarian operations have been severely affected. At least 39 health facilities and more than 900 schools are closed.

COLOMBIA: SEVERE WEATHER

Nearly 50,000 people are isolated in Tierralta, Córdoba, due to two bridge collapses following heavy rains, affecting 90 communities due to limited access to essential goods and services typically accessed in urban centers. Additionally, communities in La Mojana face the risk of double impact amid the presence and actions of a non-state armed group (NSAG), exacerbating the effects of massive flooding that has affected over 80,000 people.

CHILE: EARTHQUAKE

On 2 May at 08:58, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Chile, 218.1 kilometers south of Puerto Williams, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) issued a preventive tsunami warning and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas in the Magallanes Region. The affected area is remote and sparsely populated. The Emergency Alert System (SAE) was activated to support the evacuation process.