Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 14 February 2025

KEY FIGURES

• 2K people affected by clashes between NSAGs in Chocó, Colombia
• 200K cases of dengue in the first 4 weeks of 2024 across the region
• 3.1K people displaced due to coordinated attacks in Kenscoff, Haiti

SOUTH AMERICA: HEAVY RAINFALL

Severe weather continues to bring flooding, landslides and casualties across areas of South America. In Brazil, persistent storms are impacting the eastern departments. The death toll in Pernambuco has risen to seven, with five fatalities in Recife. Over 76,700 people in Greater São Paulo have experienced power outages, and roads remain flooded. In Bolivia, a landslide in Sorata, La Paz, on 10 February, killed two people and damaged road infrastructure, with additional landslides reported amid ongoing rainfall. Ecuador has faced intense rainfall, flooding and windstorms between 6 and 13 February, affecting over 455 homes and displacing dozens in Guayas, Los Ríos, and Manabí. Landslides have further disrupted communities in Esmeraldas, El Oro, Loja, and Azuay, prompting authorities to deploy emergency teams for drainage, road clearance, and aid distribution. With rivers rising in Ecuador and continued rainfall expected in Bolivia and Brazil, authorities remain on high alert​.

COLOMBIA: CONFLICT & VIOLENCE

Clashes between two non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in the northwest department of Chocó have affected at least 2,326 people from ethnic communities, forcing displacements and confinements. The clashes have triggered humanitarian emergencies in seven Wounaan Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities across the municipalities of Medio San Juan and Nóvita. The violence has severely restricted mobility along ancestral waterways and paths, while also violating fundamental rights, including access to education and healthcare. Additionally, one NSAG has issued threats against social leaders, along with potential risks of further movement restrictions.

REGIONAL: DENGUE

Dengue cases in the Americas continue to rise, with 238,659 suspected cases reported in the first four weeks of 2025 across 23 countries and territories. Brazil accounts for 87 per cent of these cases, followed by Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru, and Mexico. In 2024, the region experienced a record-breaking 13 million cases, with Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico reporting the highest numbers. The increased circulation of Dengue Serotype 3 (DENV-3), particularly in the southern hemisphere, raises concerns due to low population immunity, which could lead to more severe cases. All four dengue serotypes are circulating in the region, with Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador reporting simultaneous circulation. PAHO urges countries to strengthen surveillance, ensure early diagnosis, and enhance vector control efforts to mitigate the impact of ongoing and potential outbreaks​.

HAITI: VIOLENCE & DISPLACEMENT

A total of 3,139 people have now been displaced in the municipality of Kenscoff following coordinated armed attacks on 27-28 January, almost 1,400 more than previously reported. According to IOM, almost two thirds of displaced families are sheltering with relatives, while 34 per cent have found refuge in four spontaneous sites. These attacks are part of a wider pattern of rising violence and insecurity. In 2024, armed groups caused the deaths or injuries of 7,839 individuals, marking a 26 per cent increase from the previous year. This violence is particularly devastating for children, with nearly 300 child casualties reported and an average of 24 children killed or injured each month. The ongoing instability continues to displace thousands, force schools to convert into shelters, and disrupt access to basic services such as healthcare and education.

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