Attachments
Operational Context
Ecuador’s displacement situation in 2025 continued to evolve under the combined impact of regional policy changes, escalating violence in Colombia, and growing insecurity inside the country. Armed violence linked to the conflict in Colombia sustained cross-border movements, with 3,471 new displacements recorded. While overall Colombian movements declined compared to 2024, the figures still reflect a worrying trend driven by armed conflict. Venezuelan arrivals reached 236,982 entries annually (19.748 monthly average), with 217,153 exits annually (18,096 monthly average) leaving a 1,652 monthly positive migratory balance, indicating more entries than departures. At the same time, many displaced people, particularly Venezuelans, remained in an irregular status due to limited access to documentation, lack of information, and the inability to cover processing costs. The cancellation of the extraordinary regularization process left many in legal limbo and restricted access to basic services and local integration opportunities.
Displacement affecting Ecuadorians also increased. In 2025, over 100,000 Ecuadorians held pending asylum applications abroad, reflecting outward displacement linked to insecurity. Internal displacement expanded significantly, with a nationwide study by the Ombudsman’s Office and UNHCR identifying 313,228 people internally displaced by violence, affecting approximately 156,614 households.
Despite these pressures, Ecuador maintained a visible role in international cooperation. In 2025, the country presided over UNHCR’s Executive Committee and, with UNHCR support, continued to engage in the Quito Process assuming the Pro Tempore Presidency during the year. In parallel, Ecuador and the United States finalized an agreement allowing asylum seekers in the United States to be transferred to Ecuador to seek asylum and integrate, with procedures jointly developed to ensure safe, dignified and timely transfers in line with international standards.
At the same time, reforms to the Human Mobility Law were enacted to strengthen migration controls and expedite deportation and protection-related procedures.
UNHCR provided technical inputs to ensure alignment with international standards.
The broader political and security context added pressure. General elections held in two rounds resulted in the re-election of President Daniel Noboa.In September, nationwide protests triggered by the cancellation of diesel subsidies escalated into a violent national strike. In November, a constitutional referendum addressing issues including foreign military cooperation and political financing was held, with voters rejecting all proposals.
By the end of 2025, Ecuador recorded its most violent year on record, placing the country with the highest homicide rate in Latin America, recording 52 per 100,000 inhabitants. This level of violence continues to undermine protection, social cohesion and the socioeconomic integration of displaced populations and host communities increasing risks of violence against women, recruitment and extorsion.
Environmental shocks further compounded humanitarian needs. Heavy rains affected over 100,000 people nationwide, while Esmeraldas Province experienced flooding that damaged the main water treatment plant and —combined with an oil spill and a subsequent earthquake —disrupted services and livelihoods for nearly 300,000 people. In Napo and Sucumbíos, landslides and road disruptions limited connectivity for rural communities hosting refugees and reduced access to asylum and basic services. Humanitarian actors, including UNHCR, coordinated responses through the Emergency Operations Committee (COE), advocating for the inclusion of refugees and migrants amid constrained funding.
At the same time, global funding cuts severely reduced UNHCR’s operational capacity in Ecuador, leading to the closure of four field offices and staff reductions across protection and asylum services, weakening referral mechanisms, limiting economic inclusion and increasing reliance on negative coping strategies such as labor exploitation, survival sex and onward movements, while placing additional strain on host communities and local services.
Within this context, UNHCR’s 2026–2029 strategy provides the framework to sustain protection and advance solutions under constrained and unpredictable funding, prioritizing access to asylum, strengthened legal and physical protection, community engagement and durable solutions. Without sustained international support, continued funding shortfalls, risk weakening protection systems, slowing integration efforts, and leaving displaced people and host communities exposed to harm that could be prevented.