Ecuador: Oil Spill Emergency - Flash Update No. 3 (as of 27 March 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The rupture of the SOTE Pipeline on 13 March 2025 in the province of Esmeraldas caused, according to official sources, a spill of more than 25,000 barrels of oil, extending 86 km and affecting 11 parishes.
• Some 500,000 people have been affected by limited access to safe potable water, with serious health consequences, including respiratory conditions and exposure to toxic gases.
• The emergency response is being managed by the government at all levels, in a politically complex electoral context.
• The affected areas of the crisis face high violence, with the presence of criminal groups, raising concerns about the security situation.
• Provincial and cantonal EOCs have been activated, but gaps persist in the water, health, food security, and livelihood sectors. A state of emergency due to a natural disaster was declared throughout the province of Esmeraldas on 26 March.
• The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for US$4.5 million and activated its DREF fund with $462,000 to support the distribution of clean water and medical care in the worst-affected areas.

SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

On 13 March 2025, the rupture of the SOTE Pipeline in Quinindé, Esmeraldas, resulted in a spill of 25,116 barrels of oil, according to official data from EP PETROECUADOR. The spill has spread 86 km from the initial rupture, contaminating the Caple Estuary, the Viche and Esmeraldas Rivers, and reaching the ocean. Eleven parishes have been affected, along with three beaches in Esmeraldas canton and six in Rioverde canton, seriously impacting tourism and artisanal fishing.

The spill has limited access to drinking water for an estimated 500,000 people, triggering a health crisis with reports of respiratory issues, headaches and exposure to toxic gases. Crude oil residues on riverbanks continue to pose risks to both the population and the environment. A temporary shelter has been established to support those most affected.

The ongoing response is developing on three fronts. EP PETROECUADOR has deployed containment barriers and dikes, with collateral impacts on the provision of regular health services due to the prioritization of the emergency. The National Government has mobilized water distribution through tankers and activated Initial Needs Assessments (EVINs). However, the lack of disaggregated data limits the identification of vulnerable groups. At the local level, municipalities have implemented parallel response measures, amid heightened political tensions ahead of the second round of elections on 13 April.

The artisanal fishing and tourism sectors are facing significant economic losses, with boats and nets contaminated by crude oil and widespread cancellations of tourist activities. The crisis is further exacerbated by the presence of organized crime in Esmeraldas, which has hindered the distribution of aid and generated threats to officials.

Provincial and cantonal EOCs are active, with inter-institutional coordination efforts underway. However, gaps remain in water, health, food security, and livelihoods. The situation worsened on 25 March when heavy rains caused a dam to collapse, intensifying pollution and delaying remediation efforts. Given the scale of the crisis, authorities have declared a state of emergency for Esmeraldas Province. The Humanitarian Country Team stands ready to provide an effective response. IFRC has activated its Disaster Emergency Response Fund (DREF), which has disbursed 497,000 Swiss francs (US$462,000) to respond to the emergency. The integrated assistance operation covers shelter, livelihoods, multi-use cash transfers, health, WASH and protection.

Following a formal request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UN Resident Coordinator for emergency support, an UNDAC team deployed to Esmeraldas for three weeks, alongside two environmental experts from the ECHO-supported Joint Environment Unit (JEU) and a Swiss Cooperation (SDC)-supported WASH expert. UNDAC and OCHA have held strategic meetings with humanitarian partners, the National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR), the Military Geographic Institute and the cantonal SNGR. A rapid needs assessment is planned for the coming days to identify urgent humanitarian priorities.