Meanwhile in Ecuador

 
TLDR: Ecuador is facing a severe security and humanitarian crisis, worsened by a state of emergency declared after a major criminal's prison escape. Despite aggressive measures, violence has escalated, driven by economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic, gang recruitment, and deep-rooted corruption. The crisis has forced many Ecuadorians to flee while the country struggles to support many international migrants. Climate challenges like flooding and droughts have further complicated the situation. Humanitarian organizations are adapting strategies from conflict zones to address the worsening conditions, emphasizing the urgent need for long-term solutions.

Ecuador is grappling with an unprecedented security and humanitarian crisis that began four months ago when President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew. Despite these measures, the situation has worsened, creating a complex emergency that humanitarian organizations struggle to address. Once a regional haven known for its stability and as a refuge for migrants and asylum seekers, Ecuador has experienced a dramatic decline in security. 
 
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has even included Ecuador on its list of worsening humanitarian crises. The state of emergency was declared in January following the escape of a major criminal leader from prison. This led to a surge in criminal activities, including bomb attacks, kidnappings, and violent takeovers of public institutions. Despite Noboa's aggressive "war" on drug gangs, which included military interventions, the violence has continued to escalate, with a significant rise in homicides recorded in April.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the crisis by collapsing Ecuador's health system and leaving many of its informally employed citizens without resources due to lockdowns. This situation created fertile ground for gang recruitment, as vulnerable youths became easy targets for criminal organizations. 
 
The economic impact has been severe, with many Ecuadorians, like informal taxi driver Roberto Paguay, experiencing a drastic drop in income and facing extortion from gangs. Paguay's daily earnings have plummeted from $30 to just $10, and he now has to avoid specific neighborhoods due to gang threats and extortion demands.
 
 
The roots of Ecuador's violence are multifaceted, involving economic, political, and social factors. The pandemic allowed local gangs to strengthen their ties with international criminal organizations, making Ecuador a key transit point for drug trafficking between Colombia and Peru. The assassination of journalist and presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August 2023 underscored the increasing influence of gangs. Furthermore, a major corruption investigation, known as Caso Metástasis, revealed deep connections between authorities and drug gangs.
 
Economic and security crises have driven many Ecuadorians to flee the country, with a notable increase in those crossing the dangerous Darién Gap to reach the United States. Ecuador continues to host a significant number of international migrants, mainly from Venezuela and Colombia, whose conditions have deteriorated due to the ongoing violence and inadequate support. The El Niño climate phenomenon has added another layer of complexity, causing severe flooding and droughts that impact livelihoods and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Dengue fever has also surged, adding to the health challenges.
 
Humanitarian organizations adapt using strategies from conflict zones like Syria and Lebanon to monitor security and provide aid. The Ecuadorian Red Cross and others emphasize their neutral humanitarian role in navigating the dangerous environment. The IRC has increased its community presence to better understand local dynamics and improve aid delivery while offering psychosocial support to staff. Ecuador's rapid descent into violence and instability underscores the urgent need for effective humanitarian responses and long-term solutions to address the crisis's root causes.
 
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