Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 25 April 2025

KEY FIGURES

• 2,885 wildfires recorded across Mexico in 2025, a 44 per cent increase compared to 2024
• 11K people affected by rain-related events in Colombia’s Amazon Region
• 170K people affected by rain-related events in Ecuador between 1 January and 20 April

SOUTH AMERICA: HEAVY RAINS & FLOODS

BOLIVIA: Flooding in Bolivia continues to worsen, with 58 deaths now confirmed and 2,541 homes destroyed as of 23 April. The rains have affected an additional 6,982 homes, with 103 families still temporarily evacuated. In response, Bolivia has deployed over 4,400 military personnel through the Joint Command for Adverse Event Response (CCREA). Chile has donated US$60,000 of humanitarian relief to assist 300 flood-affected families, while the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has approved a US$1 million allocation targeting critical food and WASH needs in the Amazonian department of Beni. The National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (SENAMHI) forecasts continued flood risks across multiple departments through early May.

PARAGUAY: On 24 April, Paraguay declared a state of emergency in the departments of Presidente Hayes, Boquerón, and Alto Paraguay due to severe flooding in the Chaco region. Local media estimate that the flooding has affected nearly 12,000 families – approximately 48,000 people. The overflow of the Picomayo River amid ongoing rainfall has left communities isolated and inaccessible. The National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) is coordinating response activities and the distribution of humanitarian assistance.

ECUADOR: EARTHQUAKE

On 25 April at 06:44 (local time), a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Esmeraldas province, about 8.4 km from the city of Esmeraldas. Preliminary government reports indicate that there were no casualties, but that 540 people (135 households) were directly affected or damaged.

In addition, the rainy season continues to affect communities and infrastructure. As of 23 April, authorities have recorded 2,947 rain-related emergencies across 24 provinces, with the number of people affected rising to 170,476. Red alerts remain active in El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and Santa Elena.

COLOMBIA: HEAVY RAINS & FLOODS

Climate and rain-related events have affected more than 11,000 people in Colombia’s Amazon region. In Meta, sudden-onset floods since late February have affected over 7,680 people. Widespread flooding, strong winds and landslides are worsening the situation across 12 municipalities, including the city of Villavicencio, where heavy rains in the past week have left families without water service. According to municipal and departmental authorities, as well as the Meta-Guaviare LCT (Local Coordination Team), needs in health, education, WASH, food security and nutrition, and shelter are exceeding response capacities. In Bajo Putumayo, flooding has affected at least 3,300 people, while rising water levels in the Putumayo and Caquetá Rivers are affecting four communities. Water levels in the Caquetá River may continue to rise. A state of public calamity has been declared due to potential impacts on rural communities.

MEXICO: WILDFIRES

​As of 17 April, the Government has recorded 2,885 wildfires nationwide in 2025—a 44.25 per cent increase over the same period in 2024—prompting authorities to deploy a 4,000-member intergovernmental task force to combat the blazes. According to the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), 93 wildfires remain active as of 25 April across 21 of the country’s 32 states, affecting at least 60,000 hectares. The most affected states include Sinaloa (17,007 hectares), Guerrero (12,552 hectares), Durango (7,887 hectares), and Tamaulipas (5,189 hectares). A worsening drought is adding to the situation, with 66 per cent of municipalities facing abnormally dry conditions or some level of drought. Northern states such as Chihuahua are facing extreme drought, with farmers in the region considering relocation due to a lack of resources. Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua) predicts that the 2025 dry season could persist until May.