Attachments
EARLY ACTION PROTOCOL
SUMMARY
Back in December 2020, the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) allocated CHF 249,983 for the Ecuadorian Red Cross to implement early actions to reduce and mitigate the impact of floods related to the El Niño phenomenon in Ecuador. The early actions to be conducted were pre-agreed with the National Society and are described in the Early Action Protocol: EAP2020EC02Activation_Ecuador_Heavyrains.pdf
Summary
Ecuador has historically faced significant impacts from the El Niño phenomenon, with major recorded events in 1982- 1983 and 1997-1998. These events led to human casualties, severe damage to housing and public infrastructure, economic disruptions, and health crises due to increased cases of dengue, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the socioeconomic cost of the 1997-1998 El Niño reached US$2.882 billion.
To mitigate the impact of extreme rainfall associated with El Niño, the Early Action Protocol (EAP) was developed in March 2020 using historical impact analyses, community assessments, and scientific forecasts. The plan used seasonal (three-month), sub-seasonal (one-month), and short-term (five to seven days) forecasts as activation triggers.
The activation was officially triggered on 05/08/2023, when the Regional Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (ERFEN) confirmed a 93% probability of El Niño conditions (Bulletin No. 08-2023), and the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI) forecasted precipitation probabilities above 70%. Subsequent triggers were met on 28/10/2023 (one-month forecast) and 03/02/2024 (five to seven days forecast), confirming extreme rainfall risks.
In response, the Ecuadorian Red Cross implemented early actions in three phases, reaching 5,268 people:
• Pre-positioning (05/04/2021 – 02/08/2023): Storage of cleaning kits, chlorinators, mosquito nets, and repellents in strategic locations.
• Activation according to lead time (08/08/2023 – 29/02/2024): Deployment of anticipatory actions, including distribution of hygiene kits, vector control materials, community awareness activities, and Cash Transfer Programmes.
• Lessons Learned and Community Assessment (21/06/2024 – 28/06/2024): Conducted with technical and financial support from the German Red Cross to evaluate impact and effectiveness.
Additionally, efforts were made to strengthen the Ecuadorian Red Cross’s institutional capacity. This included training volunteers in the PHAST methodology, conducting preparedness workshops for local branches, and improving logistics and supply chain management to ensure timely distribution of humanitarian aid. The Society also coordinated closely with scientific institutions to refine early warning mechanisms and enhance decision-making processes.