Attachments
Context
Ecuador is affected by multi-hazards of natural origin, such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, water deficits and volcanic eruptions. The country is located at the convergence of the Nazca and South American plates and is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, which carries a permanent seismic and volcanic risk. There are 84 identified volcanic centres in Ecuador, of which 27 are potentially active and 7 are part of the ranking of high and very high threat. It also faces the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon.
In the last quarter of 2023, droughts and lack of water flow from the rivers that keep hydroelectric plants active created an energy crisis that led to the rationing of the electricity supply of up to 3 hours of power cut during the day.
This represented economic losses in the businesses that due to the measure had to paralyze their operations.
Anthropogenic risks, such as social unrest, political instability, and a significant recent increase in criminal violence have led to a rise in the rates of poverty, inequality, insecurity, unemployment, country risk and economic recession.
Ecuador closed 2023 with 7,592 violent deaths, reflecting an increase of 72% compared to 2022. According to the trend analysis, registering a rate of 40 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and making the country one of the most violent.
The increased violence has led to internal displacement of the population in cities with high rates of violence and even migratory movements to other countries. More than 80,000 Ecuadorians have crossed Darien Gap and are among the three main nationalities that travel that route along with Venezuelans and Haitians. The jungle is an obligatory passage for migrants from South America. However, the restrictions imposed by Mexico and other South American countries, promoted by the United States, have contributed to increasing abuse, including sexual violence, and strengthens organized crime.